Concerts are at 8 p.m. in Music Hall. The Cathedral Basilica concert (May 23) and preconcert recitals, are at 7 p.m.

The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra is the official orchestra of the May Festival.

May 21
Handel, Messiah. James Conlon, conductor; Cynthia Haymon, soprano; Jill Grove, mezzo-soprano; John Aler, tenor; John Cheek, bass; The May Festival Chorus, Robert Porco, director.

Preconcert recital: Tenor Vinson Cole and Michael Chertock, pianist

May 22
Wagner, Act I from Die Walkure: Act I; Prelude, Quintet and Finale from Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg. James Conlon, conductor; Deborah Voigt, soprano (Sieglinde); Clifton Forbis, tenor (Sigmund); Jyrki Korhonen, bass (Hunding); Jennifer Ringo, soprano (Eva); Vinson Cole, tenor (Walther); John Aler, tenor (David); Stacey Rishoi, mezzo (Magdalena); James Morris, bass-baritone (Hans Sachs); John Cheek, bass-baritone (Beckmesser); the May Festival Chorus, Robert Porco, director.

Preconcert recital: Mezzo-soprano Jill Grove and Michael Chertock, pianist

May 23
Music for a Sacred Place (special concert). Robert Porco, conductor; James Bagwell, conductor; The May Festival Chorus, Robert Porco, director; the May Festival Youth Chorus, James Bagwell, director. Program includes World Premiere Commission by Stephen Paulus in honor of Porco's 15th anniversary as director of May Festival Choruses.

May 28
Mozart, Exsultate jubilate, K. 165; Requiem. James Conlon, conductor; Heidi Grant Murphy, soprano; Jill Grove, mezzo-soprano; John Aler, tenor; John Cheek, bass-baritone; The May Festival Chorus, Robert Porco, director; the May Festival Youth Chorus, James Bagwell, director.

Preconcert recital: Tenor Gary Lakes and Michael Chertock, pianist

May 29
Mahler, Symphony No. 8, Symphony of a Thousand. James Conlon, conductor; Bridgett Hooks, soprano I; Christine Brewer, soprano II; Heidi Grant Murphy, soprano III; Florence Quivar, alto I; Jill Grove, alto II; Gary Lakes, tenor; Donnie Ray Albert, baritone; John Cheek, bass-baritone; The May Festival Chorus, Robert Porco, director. The May Festival Youth Chorus, James Bagwell, director; University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music Chamber Choir and Chorale, Earl Rivers, director; Cincinnati Boychoir, Randall Wolfe, director; Cincinnati Children's Choir, Robyn Reeves Lana, director.

Preconcert recital: Baritone Donnie Ray Albert and Michael Chertock, pianist