Also this issue: Star Crossed David Stephens’ installation at Gallery Joe takes a new look at an old symbol. -Susan Hagen Urban Tap -Janet Anderson MacHomer -Steve Cohen The Fever -Debra Auspitz Heckler -Toby Zinman A View From The Bridge -David Anthony Fox Magic Flute -David Shengold

February 27-March 5, 2003

artpicks

Phantoms, No Opera

For a Lieder (or "art song") singer, the magnificent songs of Franz Schubert, their flowing melodies laced with heartbreaking shifts between major and minor keys, are what Shakespeare"s sonnets are for a classically trained actor: the absolute touchstone. Hearing German tenor Christoph Prégardien sing Schubert is like hearing Ian McKellen recite Shakespeare -- you marvel at his complete infusion in the style and wide variety of interpretive expression.

Prégardien, with a raft of impressive CDs to his name, makes a welcome return visit to Philly performing not only Schubert but also his (even more neurotic) successor Robert Schumann: a program concentrating on songs about ghosts and the supernatural (the Romantic era's preview of the Friday the 13th franchise). He's not a "trumpeting high note" kind of tenor (in fact, his lower voice has a baritonal richness) but the lyric, mellow sound and musical sensitivity provide constant pleasure. For this tour he works with his frequent accompanist Michael Gees, a responsive, talented player (who visually sometimes puts on quite a show of his own) at the keyboard.

Christoph Prégardien with Michael Gees, Wed., March 5, 8 p.m., $22, The Kimmel Center, 260 S. Broad St., 215-893-1999.

—David Shengold