Saturdays at 4:30 pm
Enjoy recording collector and host Larry Johnson’s vast library of vocal music.
Arias and Songs celebrates great singers of the past and present, from Maria Callas and Jussi Björling to Renée Fleming and Jonas Kaufmann. Each week, recording collector and host Larry Johnson spins a wonderful web of opera, operetta, Broadway tunes, art songs—even vintage pop. Expect the unexpected as Larry guides you through the range and nuance of vocal artistry, with some programs tied to local performances, as well.
The player below features a continuous three hour loop of the most recent Arias and Songs episodes to be joined in progress.
There are no upcoming broadcasts at the moment.
Some Singers from Wales
January 12, 2019
Long known for its rich singing tradition, Wales has given us numerous superb artists. Heard today will be Geraint Evans, Margaret Price, Bryn Terfel, Gwyneth Jones, Richard Lewis, and David Lloyd.
American Musical Theater
January 5, 2019
The Overture to Cole Porter’s Anything Goes kicks off 2019. Glynis Johns sings, “Send In the Clowns,” from A Little Night Music, and Bette Midler greets the new year with, “Hello, Dolly!,” amongst much more to be heard in this all-Broadway program.
American Musical Theater
January 2, 2019
The Overture to Cole Porter’s Anything Goes kicks off 2019. Glynis Johns sings, “Send In the Clowns,” from A Little Night Music, and Bette Midler greets the new year with, “Hello, Dolly!,” amongst much more to be heard in this all-Broadway program.
A Program for New Year’s Eve
December 29, 2018
New Year’s Eve and operetta are an unbeatable combination. Strauss, Lehár, and more are heard by artists who know this genre well. They are Fritz Wunderlich, Brigitte Fassbaender, Nicolai Gedda, Anneliese Rothenberger, Simon Keenlyside, and Erica Köth. Shall we waltz?
A Program for the Holidays
December 22, 2018
The holiday season is upon us! Wishing us joy this year are Kiri Te Kanawa, Bryn Terfel, Kirsten Flagstad, Fritz Wunderlich, the Choir of Trinity School, and Il Volo.
The Art of Ettore Bastianini
December 15, 2018
Larry explores the all too brief life and career of this superb Italian baritone. He will be heard in some of his greatest roles from Don Carlo, La bohème, Andrea Chénier, and La Traviata.
For the Children
December 8, 2018
The holiday season is always about children and the child that lives within us. We will hear lullabies by Kathleen Battle, Boris Christoff, Marilyn Horne, and Ian Bostridge. The prayer from Hänsel und Gretel is sung by Elisabeth Schwarzkopf and Elisabeth Grümmer. The Vienna Boys Choir sing a chorus from Bizet’s Carmen as well.
Remembering Montserrat Caballé
December 1, 2018
Larry offers a one‐hour memorial tribute beginning at 4pm to one of the most outstanding voices of our time. This master of legato and pianissimo will be heard in prominent roles from Norma, Aida, Louise, and La Traviata as well as selections from Spanish zarzuelas.
Puccini, Puccini, Puccini
November 24, 2018
Truly a feast for Puccini fans. It would be enough just hearing Renée Fleming and Jonas Kaufmann in La rondine or Victoria de los Ángeles and Jussi Björling singing the love duet from Madama Butterfly. There’s more as well sung by Licia Albanese, Franco Corelli and Maria Callas.
Heroes and Heroines in Opera
November 17, 2018
Wagner’s Valkyries bring slain heroes to Valhalla. Christa Ludwig is Fidelio who does whatever is necessary to save her husband. Enrico Caruso is the Spanish hero, El Cid, and Jon Vickers as Rhadames leads the Egyptians to victory in Verdi’s Aida.
Early Twentieth Century Opera in Chicago
November 10, 2018
We go back in time when opera was performed at the Auditorium Theatre from the beginning of the twentieth century to the opening of the Civic Opera House in 1929. Some of the greatest stars of their time will be heard such as Mary Garden, Tito Schipa, Edith Mason, Feodor Chaliapin, Amelita Galli‐Curci and Pol Plançon.
Dreams
November 3, 2018
Lost in their dreams are Kirsten Flagstad, Jussi Björling, Renée Fleming, Jonas Kaufmann, and more.
Food for Thought
October 27, 2018
A tasty treat for all! The Robert Shaw Chorale takes us to a clambake, Fanny Brice cooks breakfast, the Crab Man and Strawberry Woman from Porgy and Bess offer food for sale, a little boy named Oliver wants more to eat, and there is a tribute to Julia Child.
The English Songbook
October 20, 2018
A survey of songs by Vaughan Williams, Delius, and Purcell among others; sung by Bryn Terfel, Kathleen Ferrier, Ian Bostridge, Alice Coote, David Daniels, Felicity Lott, Simon Keenlyside, Anne Murray, and more.
Larry’s Favorite Records
October 13, 2018
Once again, Larry shares some of his favorites. Joan Sutherland and Marilyn Horne sing from Bellini’s Norma. Dmitri Hvorostovsky sings Rachmaninoff. Sondra Radvanovsky is heard in an aria by Dvořák and Jussi Björling sings a song by Tosti.
Six American Sopranos
October 6, 2018
Six sopranos from the past and present are heard. They are Eileen Farrell, Edith Mason, Christine Brewer, Kitty Carlisle, Renée Fleming and Eleanor Steber.
Plácido Domingo’s 50th Anniversary at the Met
September 29, 2018
His seemingly never‐ending career is highlighted with selections from Otello, Don Carlo, and Adriana Lecouvreur, which was his debut role. His native Spain is recalled with a song from a zarzuela.
Kirsten Flagstad Sings Wagner
September 22, 2018
Long acknowledged as one the greatest Wagnerian voices of the twentieth century, the Norwegian soprano will be heard in Die Walküre and Götterdämmerung.
Opera Singers of Spain
September 15, 2018
Larry presents seven Spanish singers in opera and song. They are Montserrat Caballé, José Carreras, Teresa Berganza, Alfredo Kraus, Victoria de los Ángeles, Plácido Domingo, and Conchita Supervía.
Two Courtesans, Two Queens, and a Princess
September 8, 2018
Five women with, shall we say, unusual professions. Working hard are Renata Scotto, Shirley Verrett, Hermione Gingold, Rita Streich and Joyce DiDonato.