“There is no country in the world that has as many patriotic songs as America does,” Cincinnati Pops conductor Erich Kunzel says.

        Patriotism was on Mr. Kunzel's mind when he put together the Pops Riverbend season.

        “I think that's in the back of everybody's mind, be it performer or a plumber,” the Pops maestro says by phone from Naples, Fla., where he was conducting concerts last week. “These days, we rally 'round the flag, we're proud of our country, and we're shocked that there are some evil people in this world who don't love us.”

        The Pops season (June 28-July 27) will celebrate the American spirit in 10 subscription concerts, plus the annual pull-out-the-stops July Fourth concert and fireworks display.

        And note: This summer, the Pops has a new 8 p.m. start time.

        Michael Feinstein, the Ohio-born singer, pianist and composer, will kick off the season June 28-29, in his Riverbend debut. The Grammy-nominated singer, who last appeared with the Pops in Music Hall in June 2000, will croon his way through the American songbook of hits by Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern, Johnny Mercer, Duke Ellington, Harry Warren and George Gershwin.

        Trumpeter Doc Severinsen is the headliner July 5-6 (See story on Page E1). He'll be joined by dancer Steve Bailey, the lindy hop champion who performed with Mr. Kunzel and the Pops in Carnegie Hall last year.

        On July 12-13, the Pops goes British with guest conductor Jack Everly, who brings a program of Andrew Lloyd Webber, Gilbert and Sullivan, the Beatles, Elton John and more. The cast of singers includes Jennifer Schrader, Gwendolyn Jones, Steven Ross, Judy McClane and Brad Little, in songs from The Phantom of the Opera, Evita, The Pirates of Penzance and others.

        Mr. Everly will succeed Mr. Kunzel as principal pops conductor of the Indianapolis Symphony next year.

        Cincinnati Zoo's Thane Maynard will be the host on July 19-20 for the Pops' Symphantasy XV: Talk to the Animals. Mr. Maynard, known for his nationally syndicated radio spot, “90 Second Naturalist,” will narrate Saint-Saens' Carnival of the Animals and bring a few cheetahs, exotic birds and other fauna from Cincinnati Zoo. Preconcert activities will include a petting zoo for children.

        The show is “a real tribute to the people who work so hard for the zoo,” Mr. Kunzel says.

        Mr. Kunzel often visits his white Bengal tiger, Popsie, that he named for the Pops, and appears on behalf of the zoo's wild cheetah conservation program. His ties go back to when he conducted three Cincinnati Summer Opera productions there in 1966.

        Mr. Kunzel will wrap up the season July 26-27 with another birthday tribute: The 100th birthday of Broadway composer Richard Rodgers.

        Returning soloists Kathleen Brett, David Fischer, Daniel Narducci and the May Festival Summer Chorus (James Bagwell, director) will sing music from Broadway hits such as Babes in Arms, Pal Joey, State Fair, Carousel and The Sound of Music.

        While the Pops maestro is in Washington, D.C., at his regular stint leading A Capitol Fourth, broadcast live on PBS-TV, associate conductor John Morris Russell will lead Riverbend's July Fourth show, “America the Beautiful.”

        Mr. Russell will be joined by the United States Army Field Band and Soldiers Chorus and the Cincinnati Studio Cloggers in patriotic favorites. Fans of the United States Army Band and Soldiers Chorus may want to get there at 7 p.m. for a prelude concert on Riverbend's stage.

        Finally, if you want to follow the Pops in its annual trek to the Blossom Music Center (Cuyahoga Falls) at summer's end, Maestro Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops will conclude the 2002 Blossom Festival season there, joined by the U.S. Army Soldiers Chorus in Labor Day weekend shows, Aug. 31 and Sept. 1. (Tickets: 800-686-1141 or clevelandorchestra.com.)

        Riverbend subscriptions ($70-$152.50) will be available starting Monday. July Fourth tickets: $17. Single tickets ($17-$38) go on sale May 20. Children 12 and under are admitted free to the lawn.

        Concertgoers are invited to book a July 27 dinner cruise on the River Queen with the Friends of the Pops. The riverboat boards at 5:30 p.m. at Covington Landing. Mr. Kunzel and soloists will join for the return cruise. Cost: $49, not including concert ticket.

        For information about packages or RSViP Club Seats: 381-3300 or cincinnatipops.org.

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