Ryan Opera Center: Rising Stars in Concert
May 12, 2024, 6:00 pm
A showcase performance by The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center 2023/24 Ensemble with the Lyric Opera Orchestra conducted by Stefano Sarzani.
‘Sole e Amore’
March 8, 2021, 8:00 pm
As a special edition of Live from WFMT, we’ll air this performance from Lyric Opera of Chicago curated by music director-designate Enrique Mazzola, featuring singers from the Ryan Opera Center in songs by prominent Italian opera composers.
Cello and Piano Music by Black Composers
February 24, 2021, 8:00 pm
Join two prominent local young performers, cellist Ifetayo Ali-Landing and pianist Joshua Mhoon, in a program of music by Black composers including Florence Price, Robert Nathaniel Dett, and Anthony R. Green. Both have been featured on WFMT’s Introductions in the past: Ifetayo now studies at the Colburn School in Los Angeles, and Joshua is a Lang Lang Foundation Young Scholar.LaRob K. Rafael ...
Scott Joplin’s ‘Treemonisha’
February 17, 2021, 8:00 pm
Scott Joplin's ragtime opera Treemonisha is the story of a young freedwoman who faces persecution and danger because of her education. The opera was completed in 1911 but did not receive its first complete performance until 1972, 55 years after the composer's death.
Music of the Black Church
February 10, 2021, 8:00 pm
From Spirituals to modern-day gospel, Black people have connected to God and each other through music even through painful and trying circumstances. Presented in conjunction with the premiere of the PBS documentary The Black Church: This Is Our Story, This Is Our Song, this special program takes a musical look at Black spirituality and the strength of a people determined ...
A Beautiful Symphony of Brotherhood
January 18, 2021, 10:00 pm
Host Terrance McKnight interweaves musical examples with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s speeches and sermons to illustrate the powerful place that music held in his work.
Music and Conversation with Enrique Mazzola
January 13, 2021, 8:00 pm
Maestro Enrique Mazzola will succeed Sir Andrew Davis as music director at Lyric Opera of Chicago for the 2021-2022 season. WFMT’s George Preston sits down with Mazzola to talk about his life and career, some favorite music, and his thoughts about his new post.
New Year’s in Vienna, a Strauss Family Concert conducted by Riccardo Muti
January 1, 2021, 10:00 am
Maestro Muti takes the podium for 2021’s installment of this annual New Year’s Day tradition.
The Best Is Yet To Come: New Year’s Eve With WFMT
December 31, 2020, 8:00 pm
2020 has been a year like no other, so let’s wave it goodbye in a broadcast unlike any we’ve ever hosted. From 8:00 pm to 2:00 am, join us for an on-air look back at the year in a program featuring classical, jazz, and folk selections chosen by WFMT hosts, staff, and friends!
A More Perfect Union: A Musical Tribute to Ruth Bader Ginsburg
December 30, 2020, 8:00 pm
In 2015, WFMT was deeply honored to welcome the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who shared her deep love for opera. During our rebroadcast of this special event, being presented in her memory, we’ll also hear some highlights from Chicago’s own classical-recording label, Cedille, and from the opera Scalia/Ginsburg.
Eastern Orthodox Christmas Music with Andrew Patner
December 28, 2020, 10:00 pm
A rebroadcast from WFMT’s late critic-at-large, in which he explores this lesser-known holiday repertory.
Berlioz: ‘L’enfance du Christ’
December 28, 2020, 8:00 pm
A London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus performance.
Vaughan Williams: ‘The First Nowell’
December 27, 2020, 6:25 pm
A London Philharmonic and Chorus performance.
Apollo’s Fire: Christmas on Sugarloaf Mountain
December 25, 2020, 6:00 pm
Critically acclaimed early music ensemble Apollo’s Fire shares a festive, Irish-Appalachian celebration. READ MORE: What are Shape Notes? Jeannette Sorrell of Apollo’s Fire Explains
Menotti’s ‘Amahl and the Night Visitors’
December 24, 2020, 11:00 pm
Italian-American composer Gian Carlo Menotti’s Christmas opera.
Vaughan Williams: ‘Hodie’ Cantata
December 24, 2020, 2:00 pm
The London Symphony Orchestra performs with the St. Paul’s Cathedral Choristers.
A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
December 24, 2020, 9:00 am
The annual service broadcast from King’s College Chapel of Cambridge University.
Winter Holidays Around the World with Bill McGlaughlin
December 23, 2020, 9:00 pm
Bill’s spirited selections hail from the British Isles, Paris, Mexico, Polynesia, and more.
Bach’s Magnificat
December 22, 2020, 2:00 pm
A performance by the Catalonian Choir and Le Concert des Nations.
Music for the Winter Holidays
December 21, 2020, 10:00 pm
"The Film Score: Music for the Winter Holidays," hosted by Chicago Tribune film critic Michael Phillips, features music from holiday favorites and other wintry classics.
