Saturdays at 4:00 pm
Discover or rediscover your love for the art of singing: an hour for newcomers and connoisseurs alike
Have you ever wondered why people become obsessed with opera? Do you know the difference between an art song and an aria? Is there a singer whose voice goes right to your heart, but you can’t put your finger on why? Each week, Oliver Camacho shares his passion for vocal performance across many genres with highly personal analysis and anecdotes. Learn about the technical aspects of singing, the qualities that make certain artists beloved, opera highlights to help you prepare for upcoming Chicago-area performances, and more.
No Listening to Singers | Preempted by Strauss’s Die Frau ohne Schatten
December 7, 2024, 4:00 pm
Due to the length of the live broadcast from the Metropolitan Opera, there will be no Listening to Singers this week.
2022 In Memoriam
December 31, 2022
A tribute to artists we lost in 2022, including John Aler, Maria Ewing, Ned Rorem, and Antonietta Stella.
When Opera Singers Sing Christmas
December 24, 2022
Favorite interpretations of carols — sometimes camp, sometimes sublime.
Karl Jenkins’s Stella Natalis
December 17, 2022
Meaning ‘star of birth,’ Jenkins's 2009 Stella Natalis conveys the Christmas message of peace, goodwill, compassion and a new beginning.
Samuel Hasselhorn on the songs of Robert Schumann and Franz Schubert
December 10, 2022
The German baritone discusses his two new lieder recordings with pianist Joseph Middleton.
Introducing soprano Sonya Headlam
December 3, 2022
An interview with the rising star soprano and a preview of her upcoming Chicago-area performance with Apollo's Fire.
Chanticleer: An Orchestra of Voices
November 26, 2022
A brief history of the iconic ensemble and a preview of next month's A Chanticleer Christmas.
On Singing Bach with Countertenor Reginald Mobley
November 19, 2022
One of the foremost interpreters of J.S. Bach, shares his approach to singing what is considered to be the most technically and intellectually challenging music in the vocal repertoire.
A Preview of Chicago Opera Theater’s King Roger
November 12, 2022
COT Music Director Lidiya Yankovskaya joins Oliver to preview Karol Szymanowski's benchmark opera receiving it's Chicago premiere this month.
Lawrence Brownlee – Bel Canto Royalty
November 5, 2022
The leading American bel canto specialist on singing Rossini, Donizetti, and Bellini, and welcoming new audiences with his Lawrence Brownlee & Friends concerts.
No Listening to Singers | Fall Membership Drive
October 29, 2022
Donate to Classical WFMT so we can keep bringing you Listening to Singers and other great programming. Call (773) 279-2100 or visit wfmt.com/donate.
Kathryn Lewek, a Coloratura Queen
October 22, 2022
The American soprano, starring in Lyric Opera of Chicago's upcoming Le Comte Ory, joins Oliver to discuss her new album of Handel cantatas.
On the Monteverdi Vespers with Jacob Perry
October 15, 2022
Jacob Perry, acclaimed for his interpretations of Baroque and Renaissance repertoire, previews his upcoming performance of Monteverdi's 1610 Vespers with Apollo's Fire.
Eric Ferring on Songs from the LGBTQ+ Perspective
October 8, 2022
The American tenor previews his upcoming debut solo album with pianist Madeline Slettedahl, "No Choice But Love."
Rolando Villazón and Emily Pogorelc sing Mozart
October 1, 2022
Rolando Villazón's 'Mozart and the Women,' is a concert with soprano Emily Pogorelc, pianist Marie-Sophie Hauzel, and the Luxembourg Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Elias Grandy.
Jeremy Filsell on The Saint Thomas Choir of Men and Boys
September 24, 2022
The Director of Music at St. Thomas Church shares the history of the ensemble in advance of their October concert in Chicago.
On Spanish Art Song with Isabel Leonard
September 17, 2022
The acclaimed mezzo-soprano of Argentinian descent shares her passion art song in Spanish.
On singing Mahler with Michelle DeYoung
September 10, 2022
The American mezzo-soprano tells the story of singing Mahler's Kindertotenlieder with San Francisco Symphony as the symphony's first concert after 9/11.
Randall Scotting on the History and Music of Senesino
September 3, 2022
The American countertenor on his new album dedicated to music composed for Senesino.
The Impeccable Artistry of VOCES8
August 27, 2022
An interview with members of the revered British vocal ensemble.
On Singing Verdi with Russell Thomas
August 20, 2022
A survey of great tenors known for their interpretations of Verdi. Russell Thomas stars the title role Verdi's Ernani which opens the 2022-23 season of Lyric Opera of Chicago.
