Keith Lockhart and Linda trying to cool off outside before the Mann Center performance on August 10, 2005.

You just can't find a more wholesome talent than Keith Lockhart and The Boston Pops. Their musical sophistication far surpasses other symphony orchestras of similar size. And while many may try to attain their level of genius, this is a lofty and worthy goal that is rarely met. To see The Boston Pops perform is to witness greatness. Now add Linda Eder into the mix, and you have the precious formula for symphonic rapture beyond what you ever dreamed possible.

This past Summer, Linda, Keith Lockhart and The Boston Pops delivered once-in-a-lifetime performances to four lucky audiences along the East Coast. They first thrilled fans in Philadelphia, then in Virginia, and then on to Massachusetts for two shows — one on Nantucket Island and one at Tanglewood, the "Summer home" of The Boston Pops. The show that kicked-off the "mini-tour" took place at The Mann Center in Philadelphia on Wednesday, August 10.

The first half of the show featured Keith Lockhart and The Boston Pops performing a variety of songs largely from their latest recording AMERICA. The Boston Pops made our hearts soar with magnificent arrangements from the album — a musical celebration of the American patriotic spirit.

Keith Lockhart takes a bow at the end of Act II.

A special highlight of Act I was Frances Botelho-Hoeg, winner of the POPSearch 2005 talent competition and an elementary school principal in "real life," who possessed a voice as big as the sea! Accompanied by The Pops, she delighted the audience with a punchy and sassy version of "When You're Good To Mama" from the musical CHICAGO. However, she wasn't the only person who sang with The Pops during the first half of the show… intermission was preceded by a patriotic sing-along with such all-American tunes as "You're A Grand Old Flag," "Yankee Doodle" and "God Bless America." The entire audience raised their voices in song as a tribute to our great country. Keith faced the crowd and sang along enthusiastically with the audience.

For the second portion of the evening, Linda Eder took the stage with Keith Lockhart and The Boston Pops. They were joined by three of Linda's own talented musicians — long-time band members David Finck on Bass and Clint De Ganon on Drums, and John Oddo, an accomplished pianist, rounded out the trio as musical director on the Piano.

Linda began by treating the audience to a Broadway medley that had been missing from her repertoire for some time — "Come Rain Or Come Shine / On The Street Where You Live / What Kind Of Fool Am I." The latter song brought the packed house to its feet.

Linda commented that they would be performing three songs off the new album [BY MYSELF: THE SONGS OF JUDY GARLAND] for the first time. A fresh swing medley of "Almost Like Being In Love / This Can't Be Love" was the first new song to thrill the audience. A beautifully orchestrated version of "Me And My Shadow" was next. Linda's voice was sweet and lithe here, caressing every note so masterfully played by The Boston Pops. "By Myself" completed the set of songs off the new album. Linda's eyes seemed to twinkle as she belted this song — an anthem of self-determination — out into the open-air theatre and the Philadelphia skyline in the distance. Audience members were once again on their feet following an astonishing final note that Linda held for what seemed like an eternity.

The Pops played the first few notes of "Don't Rain On My Parade" and applause spread through the crowd like wildfire. Always a fan favorite, Linda's powerhouse voice built with the music on this number, rocketing out of orbit among the stars and beyond.

At the beseeching of Keith Lockhart to "please do a slow song now" [it was a hot summer evening at an outdoor venue and the excitement generated by the previous song had created more heat than was welcome!], Linda delighted the audience with "Vienna." What followed was "Vienna" the way the song was intended to be performed — with a full orchestra — and even better, an orchestra as glorious as The Boston Pops! Linda's voice soared and danced with the music, unfurling into a magnificent crescendo that left us breathless.

"The Impossible Dream," with a wonderful orchestration by Kim Scharnberg, followed, showcasing Linda's ability to take a song that is considered a time-honored "classic" — one that you've heard perhaps a thousand times — and make it seem brand new.

"If I Had My Way," performed as an encore, was an appropriate song to top the evening. Because the song was written following 9/11, Linda paused to comment that the Mann Center was special to her, as it was the first place she performed after that horrible day four years ago [the show was September 14, 2001, and featured Linda with Marvin Hamlisch and symphony]. Many fans will never forget that night, or this special evening [August 10, 2005] where Linda once again closed with "If I Had My Way" — leaving us all filled with the spirit of hopeful optimism and a sense of renewed wonder for this sometimes frightening, yet beautiful world.

"My first time performing with Keith Lockhart and The Boston Pops was in Boston on the 4th of July. It was an incredible night and we formed a friendship that has led to many other performances together. It's an amazing feeling to stand on a stage with them and sing — surrounded and lifted by all that lush sound."

A Conversation With Keith Lockhart...

VOICE: Who has been the most significant musical influence in your life?

KEITH: There have been so many significant musical influences in my life... it's really hard to name just one! If you had to pin me down, though, I'd have to say Leonard Bernstein, even though our paths never crossed. He could do it all — a conductor, composer of serious symphonic works and great Broadway shows, a pianist, an educator, and — most importantly — a great advocate for the art of music. He could make anyone from any background respond to his enthusiastic love of the art form.

VOICE: As a conductor, you are standing in the place where some pretty famous conductors have stood before you. Is there something special that you learned from your predecessors that has helped you during your tenure with the Boston Pops?

KEITH: Ah... the "big shoes" question. Well, I never met Arthur Fiedler, but John Williams, my illustrious immediate predecessor, had great advice for me the night before I was appointed. He told me over dinner to remember that the Pops as an institution was a greater and more lasting thing than anyone who had come before me to lead it. And, to concentrate on shepherding its future with judgement and with love, and not to worry who had occupied the podium before me. I've never forgotten that conversation.

VOICE: How and when did you meet Linda?

KEITH: I met Linda when we first worked together at the Pops. I believe it was July 4th, 2000. I had, of course, heard of her great success in JEKYLL & HYDE, but I wasn't prepared for the enormity of her talent, her presence, and her voice.

VOICE: When was the first time you heard Linda sing? What song was it? What was your reaction?

KEITH: I'm afraid I can't remember what the first song I heard Linda sing was... we've done a lot of concerts together over the last five or so years. As to my reaction, please see above... I was blown away!

VOICE: Do you have a favorite Linda song?

KEITH: This may sound like a cop-out, but I really love "Vienna." It's a favorite city of mine, to start off with (I lived there for half a year), but the emotions that stir inside me when I hear her perform it... well, let's just say that it's a very special piece.

VOICE: What projects have you worked on with her?

KEITH: Linda has appeared twice with the Pops on our huge, nationally televised Fourth of July extravaganza. She was also the soloist for the Pops debut at Radio City Music Hall a couple years ago. Most recently she was our special guest on our annual summer tour. I've also worked with her in Salt Lake City, where I am Music Director of the Utah Symphony. Everywhere she goes, it seems she has a huge fan base, and the people who have never heard of her are fans from that night on.

VOICE: Would you please share an anecdotal story from your time working with Linda?

KEITH: Usually, those anecdotes are about when things go wrong, but we both are professionals who try very hard to NOT have things go wrong. We've performed indoors, outdoors, in rain, in blistering heat... just about under all conditions, and it's always been great working with Linda and her musicians (John Oddo, Clint De Ganon, and David Finck, these days). They're fantastic! About the most exciting thing we do backstage is show each other pictures of our kids!

Linda Eder's Appearances With The Boston Pops at Their Annual 4th of July Extravaganza POPS GOES THE FOURTH
(Above televised on the A&E network, July 4, 2000 — Linda performed "Someone Like You," "Vienna" and "Man Of La Mancha.")
(Above televised on the A&E network, July 4, 2002 — Linda performed "If I Had My Way.")