Comical Chats: Stream 10 Hilarious Studs Conversations With Top Comedians & Humorists

Never were Studs Terkel’s legendary gregariousness, curiosity, and generosity more evident on-air than when a comedian, comic actor, or humorist stopped by the studio.

From 2013: Legendary Chicagoan Timuel Black Reflects on Studs Terkel

Timuel Black, who died on October 13, 2021 at age 102, lived a truly extraordinary life. Hear an excerpt of a 2013 WFMT interview with the influential historian, activist, veteran, and teacher.

Enrique Mazzola on Returning to the Stage, Taking the Reins at Lyric

Mazzola speaks with WFMT general manager George Preston about returning to live performance, Giuseppe Verdi’s Macbeth, Gaetano Donizetti’s The Elixir of Love, and what he loves most about being a Chicagoan.

Audiences to Return, Venue to Move for Weekly Hess Concerts

After a nearly-18-month absence, the concert series will welcome in-person audiences at a new venue: the Seventeenth Church of Christ, Scientist, Chicago.

Mayor Lightfoot Designates ‘Riccardo Muti Day’ To Honor Maestro’s 80th Birthday

July 28, 2021, the 80th birthday of the CSO music director, is Riccardo Muti Day in Chicago, Mayor Lori Lightfoot has proclaimed.

First Planned for 2020, Opera Festival of Chicago Finally Opens Inaugural Season

The new company launches with fully staged works by Puccini and Wolf-Ferrari, plus a concert inspired by Dante’s Divine Comedy.

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.

Prokofiev, Hahn, Lang Lang Headline CSO’s 2021-22 Return To Stage

The CSO announces an array of concerts from September to January.

From WTTW: 2021 Chicago Summer Festival Guide

As Chicago continues its emergence from the COVID-19 pandemic, residents can look forward to a relatively normal summer.

Backstage at the Grant Park Music Festival, WFMT Catches Up With Christopher Bell

Ahead of the season premiere of the 2021 Grant Park Music Festival, WFMT met up with chorus director Christopher Bell, who reflects on returning to live music, previews the opening Independence Day Salute, and talks about a summer of great music to come.

Terell Johnson on Extending the ‘Great Path’ of the Chicago Phil

Johnson, the incoming director of the Chicago Phil, reflects that he “can’t stress enough how important it is to champion those voices that haven’t been heard.”

Carlos Kalmar Extends With Grant Park Through 2024, Will Step Down After

A fixture of the Grant Park Music Festival since 1998, Carlos Kalmar has extended his contract as the festival’s principal conductor and artistic director through 2024.

6 Chicago Concerts and Celebrations for Juneteenth 2021

Many have their Juneteenth parades and celebrations all ready to go, but if you’re on the hunt for some plans, consider attending one of these six unique events.

After 18+ Months, Muti Will Return To Chicago To Kick Off 2021-22 CSO Season

Riccardo Muti will return to Chicago this September to launch the 2021-22 CSO season, his first stint conducting the CSO in Symphony Center since February 2020.

A Walking Tour of 12 LGBTQ+ Artists Whose Legacies Are on Display in Chicago

In the Lakeview Neighborhood, the Legacy Walk, a series of ten 25-foot pylons, recognizes influential figures across genders, races, and fields.

Grant Park Music Festival Announces Full Capacity for Entire Season

In conjunction with Chicago’s ongoing reopening, the Grant Park Music Festival will offer full-capacity seating for its entire 2021 season.

Music of the Baroque Is Back With Messiah, Mozart, Haydn for 2021-22

Music of the Baroque today announced its plans for a 2021-22 season, the venerable Chicago area ensemble’s 51st.

CSO Musicians, Free Livestreams Open Rush Hour Concert 2021 Season

Rush Hour Concerts are a Chicago institution unto themselves, and they resume on June 1 at 5:45 pm.

Live Music is Back For 2021… Here’s Everything We Know.

After a long year away, live music is returning to the Chicago area. So watch this space, where we’ll collect all the new season announcements that you won’t want to miss!

Wells’ World: Corey Wilkes Melds Chicago Music Past, Present In Documentary Score

“I had to think about the Roaring Twenties and music like Louis Armstrong, King Oliver, and so on, that Ida B. Wells [would have been] hearing.”

Playlist: Soprano Ailyn Pérez Shares the Music and Singers Close to Her Heart

Chicago native soprano Ailyn Pérez speaks to us about some of her favorite Latin American and Spanish music and shares a playlist of influential singers and music.

Joffrey Announces 2021-22 Season In First Year At Lyric

From The Nutcracker to Don Quixote be the first to learn about what the Joffrey Ballet’s next season has in store!

Jim Mabie, Longtime WTTW-WFMT Trustee and Board Chair, Dies at 85

A noted Chicago businessman, philanthropist and civic leader who served as a WTTW and WFMT trustee for more than 20 years, Jim Mabie died Saturday surrounded by his family.

Ravinia Returns for 2021 Season

Ravinia Festival is back for 2021 for its 85th concert season, offering up a signature blend of classical, jazz, folk, and rock music performances.

Watch WFMT’s Classical Conversations With Marin Alsop

One of the world’s leading conductors, Marin Alsop was in 2020 appointed the principal conductor and curator of the Ravinia Festival. WFMT was honored to speak with the celebrated conductor in the latest installment of our Classical Conversations series.