Today marks an auspicious event in South County - the launching of a concert series at London Town House and Gardens in Edgewater. Patterned after the European concept of individually sponsored concerts in elegant surroundings, all three concerts in the series will be held on the banks of South River at the historic site.

Wallace Treiber, president of the South County Concert Association, and Carol Treiber, executive director of the Cultural Arts Foundation, will sponsor tonight's concert to start the series. The Treibers have lived in Harwood for 45 years and are dedicated arts supporters.

Thea Lindauer, who has been on the Annapolis arts scene for more than 30 years, serves as artistic coordinator of the series. Lindauer hopes that this summer series will expand into a year-round program where people can gather to enjoy music.

She said that the concept of patrons' sponsoring concerts is a European idea that is worth reviving here in today's climate of restricted arts funding.

"I hope that we'll have starry skies for the opening concert because London Town is a lovely outdoor setting. But in case of rain, we have many options, including a large tent and the crystal pavilion," Lindauer said.

Concert-goers are encouraged to arrive at 5:30 p.m. to enjoy a leisurely picnic in a picturesque setting before the musical program begins at 7:30 p.m.

Tonight's program features baritone Thomas Zielinski and soprano Julie Kurzava singing familiar arias and favorite show tunes from Mozart to Gershwin, accompanied by pianist JoAnn Kulesza.

Annapolis Opera audiences will remember Zielinski from his dynamic portrayal of Marcello in last season's La Boheme, and the season before for his singing of the title role in Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro. Known for his lyrical baritone, Zielinski is equally at home with operetta and show tunes.

His wife, Kurzava, was Barbarina in Annapolis Opera's The Marriage of Figaro, and last season had the role of Abigail Adams in 2nd Star's production of Sherman Edwards and Peter Stone's 1776.

"We rarely appear together, and are pleased to be on stage together in this beautiful setting. You couldn't paint a more beautiful backdrop than London Town's, where South River is visible through the trees," Kurzava said this week.

In addition to revisiting The Marriage of Figaro with a quartet of arias, Zielinski and Kurzawa will offer favorite Verdi and Puccini arias. Tonight's program also will include Jerome Kern's "Ol' Man River" from Showboat, Rodgers and Hammerstein's "If I Loved You" from Carousel, and a medley from South Pacific in addition to a few Irving Berlin tunes and a medley from Jerry Bock's Fiddler on the Roof.

Zielinski and Kurzawa will have distinguished pianist Kulesza, who has accompanied major artists such as Placido Domingo and Renata Scotto, as their accompanist tonight. Kulesza is in her seventh year as music director of Peabody's opera programs.

Remaining concerts in the series include the July 11 patriotic concert, I Hear America Singing, to be directed by John Bowen of Opera Vivante and sponsored by David and Frances O'Brien. The third concert, featuring bass-baritone Sun Yu, who three years ago was Baron Scarpia in Annapolis Opera's production of Tosca, will be held Aug. 13. Sponsors of the final concert of the summer series are David and Laura Watt.

Tickets are $15 each, or $40 for the three-concert series. Children under 12 are admitted free. Reservations: 410-222-1919.