PHANTOM OF THE OPERA and More Highlight Pacific Symphony's 2012 Summer Festival

It's time to pack a picnic and enjoy five summer evenings of beautiful music under the stars with Pacific Symphony at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Irvine.

The Symphony's 24th Summer Festival, presented by Hoag Hospital, offers an exciting variety of music, beginning with a celebratory July 4th extravaganza tonight, featuring the iconic music of The Eagles and culminating in a dazzling fireworks display. Enjoy an evening of Broadway magic that combines the cachet of "The Phantom of the Opera" with three extraordinary performers, and a night of Ludwig van Beethoven's greatest hits. Then, get a bang out of summer at the annual, all-new program for "Tchaikovsky Spectacular," with cannons and fireworks! The series concludes with Disney Live in Concert, featuring the Symphony performing the soundtrack to "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl"-as it is shown on the big screen.

Subscriptions range from $95-$465. Single tickets are $25-$99. Luxury season packages are also available. Gates open at 6 p.m. for picnicking at all concerts. For more information or to purchase tickets, call (714) 755-5799 or visit www.PacificSymphony.org.

The Symphony's summer season kicks off with a July 4 celebration tonight, led by Kaufman and spotlighting the music of one of the most successful musical acts of the 1970s-The Eagles. Having gained astounding recognition over the years, the music of The Eagles has garnered five number-one singles, six Grammys, five American Music Awards and six number-one albums. Windborne's "Music of the Eagles" headlines this tribute to an iconic American rock band that got its start in California, playing mega-hits like "Take it Easy" and "Hotel California." Taking place Wednesday, July 4, at 8 p.m., this holiday concert includes patriotic favorites, a traditional salute to the U.S. armed forces and a fireworks finale.

Softly, deftly, music shall caress you…hear it, feel it secretly possess you-on Saturday, July 21, at 8 p.m., when "The Three Phantoms-Broadway's Biggest Hits!" takes the stage. Led by Maestro Kaufman, this concert stars three extraordinary performers with powerhouse voices, who have played the title role of The Phantom-Craig Schulman, Gary Mauer and Mark Jacoby-as they join the orchestra for a night of soaring melodies from Andrew Lloyd Webber's phenomenon and blockbusters from "Les Miserables," "Ragtime," "Showboat" and much, much more.