Stories

The Curious Stories Behind 10 National Anthems You Might Hear This Olympics

National anthems are some of the most iconic pieces of music from around the world. What you might not know, is they also contain some of the most interesting backstories.

Hop In! Ear Taxi Festival Announces Fall 2021 Return

When it comes to getting around a bustling city like Chicago to see the sights, jumping in a cab is a great place to start. But hearing the city? Turns out, a taxi can take you on a listening journey, too.

Totenberg Stradivarius reborn 4 decades after theft

Roman Totenberg didn't live to see his instrument again; he died in 2012 at the age of 101. But Nathan Meltzer, a nineteen-year-old star violinist, has revived the prized instrument.

Video: Ahead of Chicago Premiere, An Excerpt From Rachmaninoff’s ‘Aleko’

Two operatic opus ones will have their Chicago premieres this weekend, and they both command a chorus of well over 100. Chicago Opera Theater opens its 2019-20 season with a double bill: Joby Talbot's Everest and Rachmaninoff's Aleko.

This Animated Video Explains Why Mozart Was One of the Best Procrastinators

"Mozart led a hectic life — he was basically an overcommitted freelancer,” says Josh Davidoff, program coordinator at 92nd Street Y in New York.