In the first of our WFMT Staff Spotlight series, we share a playlist from Tim Russell, the Vice President of Community Engagement at WFMT and WTTW.

The virtual sphere won’t replace the live stage, but it can add a second, more accessible one, with great room for creative growth and the viral potential of easily shareable, iconic images.

To coincide with exciting new additions to the WTTW slate, WFMT has compiled a playlist celebrating the pinnacles of Black and Latino artistry in vocal music.

Lyric Opera of Chicago’s season opens this weekend in truly unprecedented fashion: with a virtual gala.

The childhood home of iconic musician and civil rights activist Nina Simone will be indefinitely preserved in North Carolina.

Our picture of the past is often incomplete: though long on the frontlines in the fight for racial justice, women’s stories have often been left out of history. Here are nine conversations with women to enrich our understanding.

Grammy-winning folk singer and instrumentalist Rhiannon Giddens takes the baton from renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma, who founded the group two decades ago.

Ahead of a free livestream this weekend, the star tenor reflected on his colleagues and career in opera and what he thinks classical music organizations should be doing to better represent their communities.

Earlier this month, Anthony McGill shared a video of himself kneeling while playing clarinet with his call-to-action hashtag: #TakeTwoKnees. Now, he’s using this hashtag to raise money for a racial justice organization.

A rare collection of previously unissued recordings by legendary jazz saxophonist Cannonball Adderley is becoming more accessible thanks to two small jazz labels.

Under the baton of conductor and violinist Kyle J. Dickson, vigil attendees will play string arrangements of music by William Grant Still, Florence Price, Paul Simon, and Bill Withers to mourn and demand justice for Elijah McClain.

In arts and music, there’s an important — but sometimes overlooked — facet of diversity that needs to be addressed: not just of the people in the audience, but also of the people onstage.

As protests in the ongoing fight against systemic racism and police brutality continue, musicians are coming together to pay tribute and raise awareness after the death of fellow violinist, Elijah McClain.

Star tenor Lawrence Brownlee’s new Facebook Live series aims to change the face of the industry through interviews with other Black opera singers and advice for aspiring Black opera singers, Brownlee explains.

As the city, state, and country celebrate Juneteenth, a holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the US, Chicago arts and music organizations are giving performances and leading discussions centering Black artists. Here are four music-related streams we think you should tune in to.

In observance of Juneteenth, WFMT is sharing music by Black composers and performers throughout the day.

In troubled times, music is a source of hope and healing. In a virtual interview and concert with WFMT’s George Preston, pianist Lara Downes performs selections from her new album, Some of These Days.

WFMT is thrilled to bring you this upbeat, swinging concert livestream from pianist and composer Aaron Diehl featuring propulsive Harlem stride hits by James P. Johnson, Thomas “Fats” Waller, and Willie “the Lion” Smith, plus selections by Scott Joplin, Gershwin, and Massenet.

Pianist and composer Aaron Diehl shares virtuosic music by “Fats” Waller, Willie “the Lion” Smith, plus selections by Gershwin, Grieg, and Scott Joplin in a free upcoming livestream co-presented by WFMT.

Throughout his 52 years at WFMT, Studs Terkel showcased and championed poets from across the globe.

In 2018, 1.9 billion people around the world watched the young cellist — he was just 19 years old at the time — perform during the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Now, he’s released his second album, a collaboration with Sir Simon Rattle and the London Symphony Orchestra.

We’re glad to see that in recent decades, more and more works by women writers have been given their due in the opera house. Here’s a look back at some of them, and a short list of works by women that we’re waiting to see operatically staged.

With a story that highlights how far we’ve come and how far we still have to go, Chicago Opera Theater presents the world premiere of Dan Shore’s Freedom Ride, which centers on a pivotal moment in the civil rights struggle.

The Chicago Sinfonietta’s longstanding mission of bringing communities and people together through the symphonic experience takes center stage with the Sinfonietta’s annual tribute concert to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Latonia Moore, Eric Owens, Lise Davidsen, J’Nai Bridges, and Leah Hawkins are scheduled to perform, the company said Wednesday, along with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.