Stephanie Riso, founding managing director of Pittsburgh Irish & Classical Theatre, is leaving that position and taking charge of Cabaret Pittsburgh Inc. Riso founded the cabaret series in 2004 with her husband, Tony Richards, who will serve as an adviser to the new nonprofit.

Mary Cleere Haran, a well-known cabaret singer in New York City, will kick off the Riverview Series on May 5 at The Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel, Downtown. Newcomer Tony DeSare will perform on July 14, and singer-songwriter Craig Carnelia on Sept. 8. Ann Hampton Callaway, a recording artist and Broadway performer who appeared here last September, will return with her sister, Liz Callaway, in a show called "Relative Harmony" on Nov. 10. Richard Rauh, a Point Park University professor and philanthropist, is underwriting the performers' salaries.

The series will offer two shows on Friday evenings at 7:30 and 9:30, with seating for 70 people at each show. The $45 admission, plus tax, includes the show, a glass of wine and hors d'oeuvres. All performances are in the second-floor Symphony Room. Tickets will be available through Pro Arts next month. More information: stephanieriso@verizon.net.

-- Marylynne Pitz, Post-Gazette cultural arts writer

School of Music

Marilyn Taft Thomas will serve as the interim head of Carnegie Mellon University's School of Music following the departure of Alan Fletcher in March to the Aspen Music Festival. Thomas ran the school from 1988 to 1996. She also will chair the search committee to find a permanent replacement.

Jansons surfaces

Former Pittsburgh Symphony music director Mariss Jansons may be out of our minds these days but not the music world. Gramophone magazine has profiled him as its cover story in February, and the conductor has six new and re-released recordings out that month.

Although he once indicated he might slow down, Jansons is plenty busy these days as chief conductor of the Concertgebouw Orchestra in Amsterdam and of the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra in Munich.

-- Andrew Druckenbrod, Post-Gazette classical music critic