Stories

CYSO Makes History at Lollapalooza

As trumpets sang out their first few notes, the crowd quickly grew in size and volume, drawn to the rare sight of a full orchestra on Lollapalooza grounds.

Joan Tower smiles, dressed in black, posing against a brick red stucco wall

Adela SkowronskiMarch 8, 2024

The True Story (and Inspiring Women) Behind Joan Tower’s Iconic ‘Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman’

Portrait of Sherezade Panthaki in black and blue gown, organza wrap over shoulders, dark forest setting

Adela SkowronskiMarch 7, 2024

Music of the Baroque Journeys Through Time in 2024–2025 Season

Pianist Eric Guo gestures excitedly sitting next to a historic keyboard

Associated PressMarch 7, 2024

Chopin lovers can’t meet their hero, but this pianist got to do the next best thing

Classical Countdown: New Year’s Eve Music to Strike the Perfect Note at Midnight

Keegan Morris

Curated celebratory classical music, and the exact second to press play so the music crescendos with the changing of the New Year.

7 Works for 7 Principles: Classical Music for Kwanzaa

LaRob Rafael

Music from the 1800s to today to honor each of the seven principles of Kwanzaa.

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From ‘Jaws’ to ‘Schindler’s List,’ John Williams has infused movie scores with adventure and emotion

Associated PressMarch 4, 2024

Orchestral demand for John Williams’ music has risen so much that his career as a classical musician is almost as fruitful as his film music work.

Katherine Weber in sunglasses looking scared in COT's Iolanta

7 Strange, Silly, and Surreal Opera Plots

Adela SkowronskiMarch 4, 2024

Take out the high courts and bring in the dancing elephants: here are some of the strangest opera plots that have ever been put to paper.

Sergei Babayan gives a coy half smile while wearing eccentric and unique eyeglasses

Chicago-area Bach Week Fest Announces 50th Anniversary – and Final – Season

Keegan MorrisMarch 1, 2024

"It's the right time for Bach Week to bid adieu, and on a high note.”

Through the Night with Peter van de Graaff