A Sneak Peek at Guarneri Hall, a New Classical Music Space with a Radical Mission

“The design decisions have been born of our experiences performing and recording,” Stefan Hersh explains.

Gustavo Dudamel wins the Gish Prize, a top arts honor

The prize is named for the Gish sisters, who were early Hollywood stars and made large donations to benefit the arts community upon their deaths.

Lyric Opera says labor deal reached with striking musicians

A statement released by the music company Saturday night says the agreement would extend through the 2020-21 season, if ratified by members of the Chicago Federation of Musicians, Local 10-208.

Spanish opera singer Montserrat Caballé dies at 85

Montserrat Caballé, a Spanish opera singer renowned for her bel canto technique and her interpretations of the roles of Rossini, Bellini, and Donizetti, has died. She was 85.

Mormon no more: Tabernacle Choir renamed in big church shift

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The world-famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir will be singing the same tune but under a new name. The choir was renamed Friday to strip out the word Mormon in a move aimed at ending shorthand names for the religion that have been used for generations by church members and others. The singers will now be called …

Studs Terkel’s most compelling conversations, unpacked for the 21st century in a new podcast

This monthly podcast pairs some of Studs’ most compelling conversations with interviews with some of the most exciting voices of today.

‘Arias and Songs’ Host Larry Johnson Donates >5,000 Records To DePaul University School of Music

Though Larry primarily features CDs on his program, over several decades his collection has evolved into over 5,000 recordings, including LPs and original 78RPM discs dating back to 1901.

Barcelona Dedicates a Garden to the Late Soprano Montserrat Figueras

Montserrat Figueras, who specialized in early music, is being remembered by her native city.

Detroit opera, fine arts champion David DiChiera dies at 83

In 1993, DiChiera bought a dilapidated former movie and vaudeville theater that would be transformed into the Detroit Opera House.

‘Show must go on:’ Stranded in Europe, Boston Symphony Orchestra improvises

The renowned orchestra very nearly missed the last stop on its 12-concert, eight-city European tour when it got stuck in Paris en route to the Dutch capital.

Paul Taylor, giant of modern dance, dead at 88 in New York

Taylor kept working well into his 80s, venturing into his company’s Manhattan studios from his Long Island home to choreograph two new pieces a year.

WFMT, Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus Celebrate Bernstein 100 In Pop-up Boystown Performance

To celebrate Leonard Bernstein’s 100th birthday, WFMT and the Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus presented a pop-up performance of “Somewhere” from the composer’s beloved musical West Side Story. The event was broadcast live from the Legacy Walk in Chicago’s Boystown neighborhood.

‘Queen of Soul’ Aretha Franklin has died

DETROIT (AP) — Aretha Franklin, the undisputed “Queen of Soul,” has died at age 76 from advanced pancreatic cancer.

Royal Concertgebouw ends relationship with chief conductor following sexual misconduct allegations

The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra has terminated its relationship with Daniele Gatti, who was appointed chief conductor in 2016, “with immediate effect,” following an article in the Washington Post in which he was accused of sexual misconduct on two separate occasions.

Cleveland Orchestra suspends concertmaster amid allegations

The Cleveland Orchestra says it was unaware of the allegations and will conduct an independent investigation.

Kennedy Center honors for Cher, Reba McEntire, Hamilton

The national arts center also announced Wednesday a special award for the genre-bending musical Hamilton, as part of the gala set for December 2.

Super Bowl champ to play sax with Philadelphia Orchestra

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia Orchestra has acquired a Super Bowl champion. Eagles center Jason Kelce will play baritone saxophone with the orchestra Tuesday to benefit the team’s autism challenge. The music will accompany the team’s highlights from NFL Films. In the offseason, Kelce played with the Avalon String Band during a Mummers parade to celebrate Mardi Gras. Mummers are …

WFMT Welcomes New ‘Morning Program’ Host

When you wake up on Monday, August 6 and turn on WFMT, you’ll hear a new, yet familiar, voice as the host of the Morning Program. Longtime weekend morning host Dennis Moore will take over from Carl Grapentine, who hosted the program for 22 years. Maggie Clennon Reberg, who joined WFMT in 2015 as a part-time program host, will host …

Tchaikovsky Memorial to Be Installed in the Heart of Chicago’s Boystown

Composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky will be honored with a memorial exhibit as part of the Legacy Walk, Chicago’s outdoor LGBTQ history museum. Located along 3245–3705 Halsted Street in the heart of Boystown, the museum features rainbow pylons with biographical plaques that honor the diverse contributions of LGBTQ people. From any smartphone, visitors can access videos, study guides, and other resources …

Chicago Symphony Orchestra Appoints Missy Mazzoli as Composer-in-Residence

Chicago Symphony Orchestra music director Riccardo Muti has appointed Missy Mazzoli as the orchestra’s new Mead Composer-in-Residence. Mazzoli will write a new work for the CSO, to be performed during the 2019-2020 season, and she will curate the orchestra’s Music Now concert series, plus give guidance for the programming of other contemporary music by the orchestra. Mazzoli’s compositions include two …

Romanian drama: the mayor, the soprano and the champion

Romania is gripped by a political soap opera featuring French Open tennis champion Simona Halep, a world-famous soprano, and the mayor of Bucharest.

Lyric Invites South and West Side Chicago Students To Tell Their Stories on a Grand Stage

17-year-old Jai Bartley used to think that opera was “really long and boring.” Now, she’s producing and performing in EMPOWER, an original opera set to have its world-premiere performance at Lyric Opera of Chicago.

The Studs Terkel Radio Archive, One of the World’s Great Spoken-Word Collections, Goes Public

On May 16, 2018, what would have been Studs’s 106th birthday, listeners will have more access to this incredible gold mine of materials than ever before.

Raise Your Glasses With Us at Ravinia as We Celebrate Carl Grapentine’s Retirement

Help us send Carl off in style with a special champagne reception!

WWCI Names Sandra Cordova Micek as President & CEO

Window to the World Communications, Inc., the parent company of WTTW and WFMT, announced Thursday it has hired a new president and CEO.