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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.