La Scala Philharmonic Orchestra

Fri., Oct. 12, 8 p.m., $33-$115, Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad St., 215-893-1955, www.kimmelcenter.org.

by Peter Burwasser

classical

The late, great Pavarotti probably could have been a heldentenor (literally, heroic tenor), had he gravitated toward the German opera repertoire. All of the elements were there: power, agility and innate dramatic sensibility. Those traits benefit Verdi and Donizetti, as well, and so the opera-loving public never had the chance to hear the most famous tenor of our time sing Wagner. In our midst, however, is another remarkable tenor with all of those strengths: Ben Heppner. This mountain of a man, a Canadian native, is a force of nature, which is astonishingly apparent the moment he opens his mouth. Heppner will be the guest soloist in an all-Wagner selection of arias, for the rare local appearance of the storied La Scala Philharmonic Orchestra, a band made great in recent vintage by none other than former Philadelphia Orchestra music director Riccardo Muti. For this appearance, the conductor will be the redoubtable Riccardo Chailly, who will also lead music of Verdi, Rota and Respighi.

Fri., Oct. 12, 8 p.m., $33-$115, Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad St., 215-893-1955, www.kimmelcenter.org.