Stories

Man in formal wear in theater

New Releases Aug. 5: Bach, Coleridge-Taylor, Hovhaness

Deep-dives into works by JS Bach (featuring the late conductor Sir Andrew Davis, a Lyric Opera of Chicago legend), as well as music by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor and Alan Hovhaness. Plus, meet a lesser-known — but influential — Polish composer: Zygmunt Noskowski. And take part in a richly immersive vocal compendium by Minneapolis-based Cantus.

Katherine Weber in sunglasses looking scared in COT's Iolanta

Adela SkowronskiMarch 4, 2024

7 Strange, Silly, and Surreal Opera Plots

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

Keegan MorrisMarch 1, 2024

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

Associated PressFebruary 29, 2024

Philadelphia Orchestra’s home renamed Marian Anderson Hall as Verizon name comes off

How Handel’s Messiah Became a Beloved Tradition

Katherine Buzard

Handel's landmark oratorio had its fans when it premiered... so why was it so controversial?

Closeup of glimmering Christmas tree with an illuminated star and golden background lights

2024’s Best Classical Christmas Albums

From the serene to the upbeat, this stockingful of 2024 Christmas albums will fill your festivities with joy and wonder.

Playlists

Clad in a patterned red-black suitcoat, Jaden Teague-Núñez strikes the steelpan with dynamism and athleticism

Steelpan Player Jaden Teague-Núñez Wins 2024 CSO Young Artists Competition

Robbie EllisFebruary 27, 2024

Teague-Núñez is the first steelpan soloist to enter — much less win — the competition.

Emiko Edwards studio photo posing with sheet music

American Music Project Boosts Repertory Rarities in 10th Chicago Season

Keegan MorrisFebruary 22, 2024

This AMP season’s lineup showcases neglected repertoire in chamber, solo piano, and orchestral settings.

An anguished Gerald Finley, dressed in armor as Antony, holds the limp body of Julia Bullock as Cleopatra in a performance of Antony and Cleopatra

Met Opera Announces ’24–25 Season

Keegan MorrisFebruary 21, 2024

Four contemporary operas have their Met premieres.