The Great White Way has cut a wide path in the world of musical theater, from Berlin and Gershwin to Sondheim and Webber.

"Bravo Broadway" is the Hudson Valley Philharmonic's salute to this tuneful tradition. Directed by Randall Craig Fleischer, the orchestra performed some of the great songs from Broadway's best shows Sunday evening at Newburgh Free Academy.

Featuring as guest artists soprano Jan Horvath, tenor Doug LaBrecque and baritone Douglas Webster, the program combined full, highly trained professional voices with a resonant orchestral sound. The mix enhanced the emotional impact of familiar songs and gave them fresh meaning and brilliance.

The revue opened with a suite from "Gypsy". The music came up roses with the tune-filled overture, and the dynamic trio of songsters set the pace and theme with their rendition of "Together Wherever We Go". Webster soloed with Cole Porter's "Begin the Beguine", a classic brightly polished by his mellow baritone and the instrumental accompaniment. To Berlin's "Puttin' on the Ritz", LaBrecque's handsome tenor joined the orchestral syncopation, with strings, brass and a drum roll to heighten the rhythm.

Leonard Bernstein's genius shines through in the interweaving motifs of his overture to "Candide". Horvath and LaBrecque captured the emotional beauty of "Tonight" from the balcony scene of "West Side Story". The trio next sang Sondheim's mysteriously haunting "Send in the Clowns", while Horvath did a torchy solo with "Broadway Baby". "One Singular Sensation" from "A Chorus Line" provided a sensational climax for the first half, with the trio singing their hearts out and strutting their stuff.

The second half opened with the multilingual greeting "Willkommen" from "Cabaret", vigorously projected by LaBrecque and Webster. Horvath led the way in "All that Jazz", the hit song from "Chicago". Particlarly affecting was Webster's rendition of "Bring Him Home" from "Les Miserables", with his voice dramatically ranging to the upper register with ease.

After two selections from the new musical "Jekyll & Hyde", a suite of Andrew Lloyd Webber's melodies capped the evening, with Horvath's compelling "Don't Cry for me, Argentina" from "Evita" as the opener. From "Phantom of the Opera" Webster sang "All I Ask of You" and LaBrecque "Music of the Night", both proving the continuity of the musical tradition. As LaBrecque intoned, "Softly, deftly, musical shall caress you," one felt the power of the appeal.

The finale returned to "Cabaret" for the trio's version of the title song, an invitation to join the musical scene and enjoy life.