From bostonherald.com: The Longwood Symphony Orchestra will play highlights from Howard Shore’s score for “The Lord of the Rings” in a free concert at the Hatch Shell on Aug. 16 at 7:30 p.m. The program, part of WCRB-FM’s (102.5) summer series of Wednesday evening concerts, will also feature performances by the New World Chorale plus music students from China, Taiwan and Korea appearing in collaboration with the Foundation for Chinese Performing Arts. Go to longwoodsymphony.org or call 617-667-1527.

Osse from tolkien.cyberdusk.pl writes: I have heard about Tolkien opera “Leithian”, and about premiere from your site. But there is something nee. Now there is possibility to hear and download music clips form the opera from Prologue to 7 scene as well as libretto to the opera. The composer Adam Klein is not allowed to sell the music and make money form it. But he can give free clips or CD with music to some people on the condition that they won’t be sold. [More]

Producer Darryl writes: I would like to advice LOTR fans in Australia of a new collectors TV show that has just visited Weta in NZ and features an extensive interview with Richard Taylor. The show screens Saturday night at 8 pm and re-runs Sundays at 9 am and 2 pm on the cable TV provider FOXTEL Australia-wide. The six part series features Weta in shows 1 and 5. And episode 3 is a complete Weta Special with Richard discussing his companies, childhood, creative challenges and goals. LOTR statues and busts make up a huge proportion of the show and two never-before seen unreleased statues are shown. For those outside Australia, DVD sales of the show will come online shortly. Fans can email popcollectables@yahoo.com or visit popcollectables.blogspot.com

Billy’s Loons Charities Staff write: Billy’s Loons Charities, www.bbloonscharities.net, is excited to announce an Auction of a one-of-a-kind Lord the Rings Collectible, The Return of the King Transcript signed by Billy Boyd, Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Miranda Otto, John Noble and Daniel Reeve. Daniel Reeve, the Calligraphy Expert for the Lord of the Rings lettering and design, also wrote Pippin’s name in Elvish (see left-hand corner). All of the proceeds from the Auction will go The Scottish Youth Theatre, where Billy Boyd is a Patron of and Billy’s Loons Charities is a Sponsor. Many thanks to all who signed the transcript and to Alesia for the donation of the Script! [More]

A ton of interesting new films are out on DVD this week. Take an early look on our ‘DVD Tuesday’ feature…every Monday! Check out ‘Inside Man’ Spike Lee’s heist thriller, one of the best new shows of last season, the prison drama ‘Prison Break: Season One’ and for you comic book fans we have ‘Ultimate Avengers 2’ [More]

Kevin writes: I just read a posting at Moviemusic.com that says the release date for this multi-CD set is late October. Look down about 1/2 way on the page, to Doug Adams’ post on posted 08-04-2006. Doug Adams has been doing the liner notes and a book about the music, working directly with howard Shore. [More]