Frederica von Stade A noted interpreter of the bel canto and French literature, mezzo- soprano Frederica von Stade is also renowned as Mozart's Cherubino, Idamante, and Sextus and Strauss's Octavian. Her career began when she received a contract from Sir Rudolf Bing during the Metropolitan Opera Auditions. Since her Met debut in 1970 she has sung nearly all of her important roles with that company, as well as with Lyric Opera of Chicago, San Francisco Opera, and other leading American theaters. In Europe, new productions have been mounted for her at La Scala, Covent Garden, the Vienna State Opera, and the Paris Opera. When La Scala and the Paris Opera visited the United States during the Bicentennial, she was the only American to appear as a guest with both companies. She is invited regularly to appear with the world's top orchestras and conductors and has made more than three dozen recordings, including complete operas, aria albums, symphonic works, solo recital programs, and crossover albums. She recently enjoyed the distinction of holding first and second places simultaneously on the national sales charts, with EMI/Angel's Showboat and Telarc's The Sound ofMusic. Ms. von Stade has appeared regularly on television, including several "Live From the Met" telecasts, the Jean-Pierre Ponnelle production of La Cenerentola, the holiday special "Christmas with Flicka," and the PBS special "Flicka and Friends." She holds honorary doctorates from Yale University, Boston University, the Georgetown University School of Medicine, and her alma mater, the Mannes School of Music. In 1983 she was hon- ored at the White House with an award recognizing her significant contribution to the arts. Ms. von Stade made her Boston Symphony debut in October 1977 in Berlioz's Beatrice et Bene- dict; she has recorded Ravel's Sheherazade, Berlioz's Les Nuits d'ete, and Debussy's La Damoiselle elue with Seiji Ozawa and the orchestra for CBS Masterworks. James Galway Through his extensive tours, numerous best-selling recordings and videos on RCA, and frequent television appearances, flutist James Galway has reached vast and diverse audiences worldwide. His reper- toire ranges from Bach and Vivaldi to contemporary music, jazz, and the Irish folk melodies that are his signature. Also, he has broadened the flute repertoire through his many commissions from contemporary composers. Mr. Galway keeps his artistry fresh with a mix of recitals, concerto appearances, chamber music, and master classes. An exclusive RCA Victor artist, he has won numerous awards for his many record- i ings. Mr. Galway 's schedule this summer includes performances at Blossom, Ravinia, andTanglewood. In Europe he gives the world premiere of a flute concerto by David Heath with Leonard Slatkin and the London Philharmonia, and spends a week at Ireland's Adare Festival. He was special artist-in-residence with the British Flute Society at the Royal College of Music in July; in August he gives ten days of master classes in Dublin. His 1992-93 season includes two tours of North America, as well as performances in Europe and 40.