The expansive patriotic fervor that continues to envelop us permeated the opening concert of the Pittsburgh Symphony Pops last night at Heinz Hall, where Marvin Hamlisch, the closest thing going to Victor Borge, expertly delivered a package called "Broadway Bound."

And why not, for Broadway is yet another American icon in a city perceived at risk. So Hamlisch tied his package with a few singing stars and some musical stripes of another sort.

He was pointed in his reference at the start. Without an introduction, principal trumpet George Voight began a stirring solo to "Battle Hymn of the Republic," which was picked up by Hamlisch on the piano and merged with other patriotic selections in a cadenza-like setting. He would then seamlessly weave them into a powerful arrangement of "The King and I."

But Hamlisch wasn't done. He would conclude the program with a couple of selections from the all-American George M. Cohan ("I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy" and "Grand Old Flag") and an unorthodox Broadway finale, "God Bless America" (although Irving Berlin originally wrote it for one of his early musicals).

While the rest of the program was pure Broadway delight, certainly one of the strongest Pops programs in years, it too could be considered American in its own fashion, a blend of home-grown composers who have given us the kind of tunes that anyone can whistle.

The Pittsburgh Symphony musicians responded to Hamlisch's mood, taking the spotlight for the lustrous melodies of "My Fair Lady" and a string of Cole Porter beauties.

The rest of the program was devoted to vocal selections from what Hamlisch called an "A-list" group of performers: soprano and graduate of Carnegie Mellon University Christiane Noll, tenor J. Mark McVey and baritone Doug LaBrecque.

Noll proved to be a singer of uncommon vocal range and character definition. With her pert blonde frame, she was well-suited to "Till There Was You" from "The Music Man." Then she added a statuesque star-quality to "All I Ask of You" from "Phantom of the Opera" with McVey. But surprisingly, Noll could also evoke the ditzy Marilyn Monroe-ish antics of Audrey in "Little Shop of Horrors," then turn around and belt out "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" from "Evita."

McVey delivered "Bring Him Home" from "Les Miserables" in a rendition that was as good as it gets. But he also conspired with Hamlisch for a sneak peek at Hamlisch's newest musical, due to make its Broadway premiere on March 14. Called "Sweet Smell of Success," the show will star John Lithgow. Last night McVey offered a tender love ballad, "I Cannot Hear the City," a poignant escape into a private world.

LaBrecque, who provided mostly vocal support in "Send in the Clowns" and selections from "Gypsy," got his due with a powerful rendition of "Music of the Night" from "Phantom."

All told, this trio had the versatility and talent to transcend a wealth of Broadway's best. On this night it was not to be considered light-hearted Pops, but instead a treasure trove of heart-warming music.