Handel’s “Judas Maccabaeus”

Handel recast the story of Judas Maccabeus as a celebratory ode to King George II, with music of unprecedented refinement, gripping suspense, and drama.

Playlist: The Best Classical Christmas Albums of 2023

Stunning renditions of contemporary works, stirring early music performances, and more.

Music of the Baroque: Windy City

Wind and water are at the heart of Chicago’s identity; Dame Jane Glover leads a program inspired by our hometown.

Handel’s Brilliance

Highlighting the influential genius of George Frideric Handel in works for string ensembles, vocalists, and winds.

Glover and Jacobs

Dame Jane Glover makes her CSO debut leading Haydn and Mozart.

On Handel and the French Baroque with Aaron Sheehan

The Grammy Award-winning tenor shares his approach to the repertoire for which he is in high demand.

Music of the Baroque Pays Tribute to Its Past, Chicago in Windy City Program

“I’ve been with this group now for over 20 years. It is glorious.”

Water Festival: Rameau, Vivaldi, Handel

Nicholas McGegan conducts a program inspired by water and Milwaukee’s relationship with it.

Handel’s Jephtha

Music of the Baroque’s first performance in over three decades of Handel’s final oratorio.

Apollo’s Fire: The 2023-34 Windy City Series

The Cleveland-based baroque orchestra shares its new program, a sequel to their popular Sugarloaf Mountain: An Appalachian Gathering.

The Pure Voice of Lauren Snouffer

An interview with the early (and contemporary) music specialist in advance of WFMT’s broadcast of Handel’s Jephtha from Music of the Baroque.

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.

Concerto Italiano: Alessandro Scarlatti, Handel & Francesco Mancini

Founded in 1984, Concerto Italiano has earned the reputation as one of the finest ensembles to specialize in Baroque music. On this week’s edition of Baroque&Before, we’re treated to a select chamber group from Concerto Italiano, joined by soprano Sonia Tedla and bass Gabriele Lombardi, in works by Handel, three works by Handel’s older contemporary Alessandro Scarlatti plus another, formerly …

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.

Little Traveling Music, Please

Wanderers, farewells, and sightseeing; people are always on the go. This week, Bill calls up, “A Little Traveling Music, Please” from the pens of Handel, Smetana, Duke Ellington, and more. Reflections from such travels infuse themselves into their works, as we will discover throughout the week. We will hear selections from Beethoven’s Les Adieux, Schubert’s Die Schöne Mullerin, and Haydn’s …

La Foresta Incantata: Geminiani, Handel & Vivaldi

A program of well-known works by Handel and Vivaldi.

Bella Voce Unveils 2023-2024 Season

The season embarks on explorations of both staples and forgotten gems of Renaissance and Early Music repertoire.

Kathryn Lewek, a Coloratura Queen

The American soprano performs her signature role in The Magic Flute next month at Ravinia Festival.

Secular Baroque Cantatas

Five solo cantatas by Handel and his contemporaries.

Jeanine De Bique and Concerto Köln

Internationally renowned soprano Jeanine De Bique makes her Zankel Hall debut alongside opera and early music ensemble Concerto Köln.

Handel’s “Aminta e Fillide” with Opera Settecento & Fair Oriana

Handel was twenty-two when he wrote this pastoral cantata about a love-struck shepherd and the nymph he’s fallen for.

Masaaki Suzuki Conducts Handel’s Messiah

Lauded baroque music interpreter Masaaki Suzuki leads the NY Phil and soloists Sherezade Panthaki, Reginald Mobley, Leif Auruhn Solén, and Jonathon Adams.

Anthem for Charles III’s coronation written by Lloyd Webber

The work by Lloyd Webber is one of a dozen new pieces Charles commissioned for the grand occasion taking place May 6 at Westminster Abbey.

Playlist: 8 Works for Hanukkah

With Hanukkah right around the corner, it is a perfect time to plan your celebration. Include this music in your festivities.

Kathryn Lewek, a Coloratura Queen

The American soprano, starring in Lyric Opera of Chicago’s upcoming Le Comte Ory, joins Oliver to discuss her new album of Handel cantatas.