Musicians, management and music lovers alike are ecstatic and relieved. Only 10 months ago, symphonic music in Honolulu was at death's door. Just before Christmas last year, a delicately brokered settlement that required tremendous financial sacrifice from orchestra members allowed a hastily re-jiggered program of concerts to proceed.

This season's full slate runs from late October to mid-May. Five different series of concerts cater to a range of audience tastes.

The highly anticipated baton of new musical and artistic director Sam Wong propels the sense of rebirth. "Maestro Wong brings great enthusiasm and artistry to Hawaii," says HSO executive director Michael Tiknis. "He is known and respected around the world. A new era definitely has begun for the Honolulu Symphony."

The "Classical MasterWorks" series remains at the core of the HSO's mission. Wong leads the orchestra through pieces by the symphonic repertoire's workhorse composers, such as Mozart, Beethoven, and Brahms, and ones less often heard, such as nineteenth century French composer Emmanuel Chabrier. A smattering of new works-including two by Hawaii-based composers-also appears.

Guest conductors and soloists are coming from far and near. A Russian cellist, Israeli violinist, and Mexican conductor are among the international artists taking part. In March, homegrown tenor Keith Ikaika-Purdy returns from his globetrotting opera career to perform Verdi and Puccini arias with the HSO. Two excellent local ensembles also appear in the spring, the Oahu Choral Society and the Royal Hawaiian Band.

Conductor Wong emphasizes the internationalism within the HSO and of Hawaii itself. "We have musicians from around the world." The islands are, he continues, "a place for international brotherhood and cross-pollination in the arts, resulting in exotically beautiful flowerings."

Star power also never hurts. The biggest classical music celebrity arrives in April, the Viennese pianist Anton Kuerti, playing one of his own compositions in addition to a Mozart concerto. Famous actor and local resident Richard Chamberlain narrates a "Romeo and Juliet"program next month.

As has been traditional, the 10 pairs of concerts in the "Classical" series debut on Sunday afternoons and repeat Tuesday evenings at the Blaisdell Concert Hall.

On four Wednesdays, a late afternoon "Pau Hana" series at the Hawaii Theatre recapitulates selections from the previous night's "Classical" program, with an innovative twist. A happy hour precedes each 5:45 p.m. concert, and the ticket price includes, as David Letterman would say, a lovely beverage. "Each concert lasts just one delightful hour," says Tiknis. "This is a way to forget the traffic and enjoy some great music."

Another twist, also at the Hawaii Theatre, is the HSO's version of the always-popular "Mostly Mozart" format: "Mozart and Moore." Yes, that's Moore with two O's, as in Channel 2 news anchor Joe Moore. He is the three-concert series' host, and-are you sitting down?-guest conductor. He debuts on the conducting podium Nov. 1.

Back at the Blaisdell Concert Hall, the third new set of concerts is the "Ohana"series. Meant for keikis and their parents, the Saturday morning programs aim to make classical music fun. An hour before each concert, musicians let the children get to know the tools of the trade at the "instrument petting zoo." Mimes, puppets, Carmen San Diego and low ticket prices make the three concerts accessible to all. While adults might need that drink from the Pau Hana series to enjoy a mime, the kids are sure to love it.

A revived "Pops" series, also at Blaisdell, rounds out the schedule. Featured composers range from George Gershwin to Andrew Lloyd Webber. Guest artists include conductor Skitch Henderson, singer Judy Collins, and the singing, dancing, direct-from-Broadway Manhattan Rhythm Kings. A Brothers Cazimero "Christmas Spectacular" promises to be the series highlight and to sell out faster than mango chutney at the Punahou Carnival.