Mascagni’s crowning opus, plus Bizet’s Roma, are featured on this program. 8:00 pm.
How does Muhammad Ali, one of the most influential figures in American history, translate into opera?
It's an exciting new era for the concert series — and WFMT's weekly live broadcasts.
Jamie Barton: Opera Must “embrace the move towards feminine power”
WFMT talks with the outspoken mezzo-soprano about what it means to take on the role of Carmen, why she’s excited to open the COT season, and how modern-day audiences and artists can best confront the more outdated aspects of Carmen and other beloved operas.
Don't Miss a Beat
Live Music is Back For 2021… Here’s Everything We Know.
After a long year away, live music is returning to the Chicago area. So watch this space, where we'll collect all the new season announcements that you won't want to miss!
Watch WFMT’s Classical Conversations With ‘Approaching Ali’ Composer D. J. Sparr and Star Soloman Howard
Ali was among the most important, most charismatic, most unique figures in American (not just sports) history. So how do you adapt the monumental life of the People's Champion into an opera?
Behind the Scenes: Artists Share & Sing at Rehearsals for Haymarket’s ‘Orlando’
WFMT host LaRob K. Payton visited Haymarket rehearsals, hearing musical rehearsal highlights and talking with two of the production's stars: countertenor Bejun Mehta and mezzo-soprano Emily Fons.
Van Zweden to leave New York Philharmonic after 2023-24
After six years as music director, van Zweden's will be the shortest tenure of anyone in a half-century.
Operatic day at the beach evokes climate crisis
Twenty-one tons of sand are transforming the Brooklyn Academy of Music into a day at a beach for the staging of the global warming opera Sun and Sea.
George Wein, Newport Jazz Festival co-founder, dies at 95
One of the great impresarios of 20th-century music has died.
Met’s 9/11 Anniversary: Music Can Help Mend Wounds of 20 Years Ago and Today
Matthew Polenzani, one of the artists performing at the Met's Verdi Requiem commemorative concerts on the 20th anniversary of September 11, 2001, reflects on why music can help us heal.
Artist Icebreaker: Pianist Lara Downes
Ahead of her appearance at Ravinia this week, we sat down to talk with Lara Downes about her efforts to broaden the classical canon, her first introduction to Black composers like Florence Price and Margaret Bonds, and why she loves to work with Rachel Barton Pine.
QUIZ | How Well Do You Know Your Favorite Composers’ Habits?
Can you tell the procrastinators from the diligent workers? How did Stravinsky fix his writer's block? Test your knowledge of composers' habits with these 10 tricky questions!
QUIZ | Composer ABCs
Here's a quick pop quiz; answer our 26 alphabetical questions to see if you know your composer ABCs!
Audiences to Return, Venue to Move for Weekly Hess Concerts
After a nearly-18-month absence, the concert series will welcome in-person audiences at a new venue: the Seventeenth Church of Christ, Scientist, Chicago.
