Announcing: WFMT’s Live Grant Park Music Festival 2025 Concerts
Join us throughout the summer as we share some of Chicago's most exciting and inspiring music making!
Don't Miss a Beat
Mormon no more: Tabernacle Choir renamed in big church shift
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The world-famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir will be singing the same tune but under a new name. The choir was renamed Friday to strip out the word Mormon in a move aimed at ending shorthand names for the religion that have been used for generations by church members and others. The singers will now be called ...
Cervantes of ‘Hamilton,’ REO to lead Illinois 200th birthday
CHICAGO (AP) — A Gettysburg Address rap by Broadway in Chicago’s Hamilton star Miguel Cervantes, Illinois-bred rockers REO Speedwagon and a cast of Prairie State celebrities will highlight the state’s 200th birthday party Dec. 3. The bicentennial extravaganza ‘s lineup was announced Thursday. The theme of the party at Chicago’s United Center is “Born, Built and Grown in Illinois.” A tribute ...
Chicago, A History in Song
Chicago is world famous for its architectural gems, dramatic skyline, gorgeous lakefront, and distinctive neighborhoods. Alongside the stunning views, the city also has a sound that’s all its own. The vocal ensemble Chicago a cappella opens its 25th anniversary season with an exploration of the Windy City's history in song from its beginnings to the present day, showcasing the city’s unique voice.
Studs Terkel’s most compelling conversations, unpacked for the 21st century in a new podcast
This monthly podcast pairs some of Studs' most compelling conversations with interviews with some of the most exciting voices of today.
Lyric Backstage Video: Danielle de Niese Previews ‘La bohème’
Lyric Opera of Chicago's 2018-19 season opens this weekend with a classic: Puccini's beloved La bohème.
Violinist, professor, pastor among 25 ‘genius grant’ winners
CHICAGO (AP) — A violinist who organizes concerts for the homeless, a professor whose research is being used to increase access to civil justice by poor communities and an activist pastor are among this year’s MacArthur fellows and recipients of so-called genius grants. The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation on Thursday named 25 people, including academics, activists, artists, ...
Playlist: 17 Underrated Concertos We Should Hear More Often
What makes a piece popular? How does a piece survive its first few performances? What makes something a warhorse, played over and over again, easily marketed from decade to decade? Who decides what’s good, anyway? Here are 17 underrated concertos – ones that don’t get played all that much, but maybe should be more widely known.
‘Arias and Songs’ Host Larry Johnson Donates >5,000 Records To DePaul University School of Music
Though Larry primarily features CDs on his program, over several decades his collection has evolved into over 5,000 recordings, including LPs and original 78RPM discs dating back to 1901.
Fire at Venice’s La Fenice brought quickly under control
MILAN (AP) — A fire in Venice’s rebuilt La Fenice opera house was swiftly brought under control Monday, 22 years after a blaze had destroyed the famous theater. Italian news agency ANSA reported that the fire broke out early Monday in a technical room that was under 24-hour surveillance as a precaution following the fire in 1996, which was ruled ...
Barcelona Dedicates a Garden to the Late Soprano Montserrat Figueras
Montserrat Figueras, who specialized in early music, is being remembered by her native city.
