photo by Joan Marcus
Paulo Szot & Kelli O'Hara
...........................................................................................

Broadway soprano Kelli O'Hara and operatic baritone Paulo Szot, who may be best known for their performances-hers nominated for a Tony and his winning one-in the current Lincoln Center Theatre revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein's "South Pacific" (1949), followed this achievement up by being stellar headliners in a New York Pops tribute to another duo who wrote classic musicals, composer Frederick Loewe and lyricist Alan Jay Lerner, under Pops Music Director Steven Reinecke's baton, at Carnegie Hall on April 16.

After a rousing potpourri overture of highlights of the five musicals that were to be the evening's focus, O'Hara and Szot charmed us with their noble naiveté, singing, whistling and dancing together in "What Do the Simple Folk Do?" from "Camelot" (1960); collaborated, though three or four decades too young, on a nostalgic "I Remember It Well," from "Gigi" (1958); and enchanted us anew with their romantic "The Heather on the Hill" and "Almost like Being in Love," from the Scottish musical, "Brigadoon" (1947).

Dashing Szot, joined by the Clurman Singers, directed by Judith Clurman, offered a polished title song from "Camelot" and, in cowboy mode, "They Called the Wind Maria," from "Paint Your Wagon" (1951). He not inappropriately made a bel canto aria of "If Ever I Would Leave You," from the former; caressed phrases of the title song from "Gigi," seducing us with the song; and showed that "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face," from "My Fair Lady" (1956), written for actor Rex Harrison, benefits from having a singer undertake it.

O'Hara bubbled with anticipation in a "How Can I Wait?" at once folksy and classy, from "Wagon," and delivered a lovely, soaring "Say a Prayer for Me Tonight," from "Gigi." In selections from "My Fair Lady," she limned an endearing pre-makeover Eliza Doolittle, with the Clurman Singers, in "Wouldn't It Be Loverly?;" captured the full excitement of "I Could Have Danced All Night;" and concluded with a fast and furious, dramatic "Show Me."

O'Hara and clear-toned tenor Michael Slattery blended voices in a classically-shaped "I Talk to the Trees," from "Wagon." In the "Brigadoon" segment, Slattery floated a melting "Come to Me, Bend to Me," with canny use of voix mixte (mixed voice), after which soloist Elena Zahlman and a quartet of dancers from New York Theatre Ballet recreated some of Agnes de Mille's original choreography for the number. With the chorus, Slattery sang "I'll Go Home with Bonnie Jean" with flair.

The Clurman Singers seized center stage with spirited accounts of "There's a Coach Comin' In," "The Night They Invented Champagne," and "Get Me to the Church on Time," from "Paint Your Wagon," "Gigi," and "My Fair Lady" respectively.

In "The Rain in Spain," with all three soloists, O'Hara and Szot played with reversing roles for a bit, with her, as the one with precise pronunciation, instructing and correcting the Brazilian baritone. For a grand finale, the full company of soloists, choristers, eight dancers, and the Pops joined forces, led by Reinecke, for an ebullient reprise of "I Could Have Danced All Night."

Earlier in the evening, the Pops ceded the stage to actor Richard Dreyfuss, who, on behalf of the Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation, dedicated to restoring the arts to the educational curriculum, presented awards of $10,000 to each of five outstanding music teachers.

Next on the Pops' agenda is its 27th birthday Gala, "The Best Is Yet to Come," celebrating Frank Sinatra's musical legacy, on May 3 at 7 p.m. at Carnegie, with Reinecke conducting, Liz Smith hosting, Frank Sinatra, Jr. as special guest, and singers Michael Cerveris, Michael Feinstein, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Cheyenne Jackson, John Tartaglia, and Michael Urie. For tickets, at $55 or 85, visit www.carnegiehall.org, call CarnegieCharge at 212/247-7800; or go to the Carnegie Hall box office on 57th Street at Seventh Avenue.

Next season, the Pops probes music of ABBA on October 15; Stephen Sondheim on November 19; the holiday season, with Brian Stokes Mitchell, on December 10; Doc Severinsen on January 28, 2011; and Judy Garland, with Ashley Brown, Heather Headley, and Karen Olivo, on March 11. Subscriptions are available for $145, 165, 210, 350, 460 and 510. Check the New York Pops web site, www.newyorkpops.org, for further information.