Explore new styles of music

Bringing artists from all over the world to Costa Mesa, the latest vision of the Orange County Performing Arts Center will present an eclectic mix of music during the 2007-08 season.

The center recently announced the new World Currents series, which ranges from the somber tunes and lyrics of Portuguese fado to the pomp and pageantry of British cavalry regiments.

"The Samueli Theater and the new concert hall are both terrific spaces to explore new and different styles of music," said Aaron Egigian, the center's senior director of music programming. "We are so pleased to welcome this extraordinary group of artists."

The series opens in September with fiddler Alasdair Fraser and cellist Natalie Haas for a harmonious exploration of Scotland's rich musical tradition.

They will be followed by the Russian Patriarchate Choir of Moscow recreating the sounds of sacred Orthodox church music.

"There is just a great spiritual feel and a sort of power that comes from this music," Egigian said.

Bluegrass will be performed for the first time at the center with the arrival of Cherryholmes, a six-member, Grammy-nominated family band, and internationally renowned Portuguese blues singer Mariza will share her soulful melodies come October.

"Mariza is not only an extraordinary singer of fado, but just an extraordinary singer period," Egigian said. "What's amazing is how she can communicate with you so directly even though it's in a language you may not understand."