Ashley Brown, Renee Fleming, Cheyenne Jackson, Steve Martin, Audra McDonald, Bette Midler, et al. Set for Carnegie Hall in 2011-2012

Carnegie Hall has announced programming for its 2011-2012 season, which will celebrate the venue’s 120th anniversary.

As previously reported, Barbara Cook, Steve Martin, Bette Midler, and Sting will join host James Taylor in a gala event on April 12. The evening will also feature Dianne Reeves, members of the Tanglewood Festival Chorus, and additional guests to be announced.

Tony Award winner Audra McDonald will be the featured vocalist at the 120th Anniversary Gala on May 5. McDonald will also appear in an evening of popular songs backed by a Broadway-sized orchestra, led by her frequent collaborator, musical director and pianist Ted Sperling, on October 22.

The New York Pops will present a series of five concerts including Irving Berlin: Rags to Ritzes (October 14), featuring guest artists Ashley Brown, Tony DeSare, James T. Lane, Hugh Panaro, and NaTasha Yvette Williams; Cheyenne Jackson’s Cocktail Hour: Music of the Mad Men Era (November 18); John Pizzarelli and Jessica Molaskey Wish You a Swingin’ Christmas (December 16 & 17), also featuring Essential Voices USA; Patti Austin Sings Ella Fitzgerald’s Gershwin Songbook (March 16), with a special guest appearance by Christopher Riddle; and Hollywood Award Winners (April 13), once again featuring Essential Voices USA.

Another season highlight will be American Mavericks, presented in partnership with the San Francisco Symphony and celebrating revolutionary American composers and artists who forged their own paths in order to establish their own unique musical voices. Led by Artistic Director Michael Tilson Thomas, this series will include singers Jessye Norman, Meredith Monk, and Joan La Barbara.

Michael Feinstein will return with his annual three-concert series, Standard Time with Michael Feinstein. Among the other artists participating in Carnegie Hall’s season will be Emanuel Ax, Joshua Bell, Asha Bhosle, Ian Bostridge, Goran Bregovic, Renee Fleming, Bill Frisell, Marilyn Horne, Graham Johnson, Ute Lemper, Bill Morrison, Anna Netrebko, Itzhak Perlman, Christine Rice, Yo-Yo Ma, and the a cappella ensemble Sweet Honey In The Rock.

For tickets and additional season information, click here.