Playlist: WFMT Listeners’ First Favorites

We all came to love classical music in different ways. Here are some of the musical first loves of our WFMT listeners, in their own words.

‘Opus,’ the farewell of Japanese composer Ryuichi Sakamoto, will premiere at Venice Film Festival

Sakamoto had been battling cancer since 2014, and could no longer do concert performances, and so he turned to film. The filming took place over several days, just a half year before his death on March 28 at 71.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra will return with heavy metal holiday tour, ‘The Ghosts of Christmas Eve’

The heavy metal, classical music, theater production, pyrotechnics, and laser lightshow hybrid will stop in Chicago in late December.

Classical Music-Loving Animals to Bring a Smile to Your Face

Humans aren’t the only animals who love big orchestras! Check out our favorite videos of animals dancing along with, singing to, and enjoying classical music.

Apollo’s Fire Returns for 4 Chicago Programs in ’23-24

The Cleveland-based Baroque orchestra made its Chicago debut in 2016 and has since established a strong presence in the city.