Larry Johnson, the host of WFMT’s Arias and Songs, died over the weekend in his home on Chicago’s North Side. He was 72 years old. He leaves behind a brother, Alan Johnson, and a cousin, Lynn Newhart. Larry had a business career in the textile industry but was always an avid music lover and record collector. He joined WFMT as …

NEW YORK (AP) — McCoy Tyner, the groundbreaking and influential jazz pianist and the last surviving member of the John Coltrane Quartet, has died at age 81. Tyner’s family confirmed the death in a statement released on social media Friday. No more details were provided. Tyner was born in Philadelphia on Dec. 11, 1938. He eventually met Coltrane and joined …

The Royal Opera House says in a statement Friday it was mutually agreed with Domingo that he will not be taking up his role in Don Carlo in July. Domingo is ensnared in allegations of sexual misconduct.

ADELAIDE, Australia (AP) — Musician and composer Brett Dean has been hospitalized in Australia with the new coronavirus. British agent Intermusica says the violist and conductor is in isolation in an Adelaide hospital with the COVID-19 illness. He was to perform with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra at the Adelaide Festival on Saturday. Festival executive director Rob Brookman says Dean canceled …

Patricia Barretto, president and CEO of Chicago’s Harris Theater for Music and Dance, has died following a 4-year battle with breast cancer. She was 45. She passed away Tuesday, March 3, 2020, with her husband, Sheldon, their son, David, her parents, William and Fatima Mcrae, and close friends at her side. Barretto was born in Mumbai and completed a BA in …

QUITO, Ecuador (AP) — The new coronavirus raising tensions around the world has started to inspire songwriters across Latin America, the latest region to see cases popping up. A street performer in Ecuador and Mexican band have captured anxiety they’re seeing in their communities with music. Videos of their songs are going viral. They poke fun at stores gouging prices …

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Recording Academy says it has fired Deborah Dugan, its former president who questioned the integrity of the Grammy Awards nominations process and complained of sexual harassment and a toxic culture. The academy said Monday the decision was reached after “two exhaustive, costly independent investigations” of Dugan. She had been on administrative leave since mid-January, when …

Citing fundraising shortages in the face of rising costs, the Lake Forest Symphony has announced the cancellation of the remainder of its 2019-20 season. This decision comes despite good concert turnout. According to the symphony, the announcement followed a weekend of sold-out concerts midway through the ensemble’s 62nd season. The early termination will bring the cancellation of three programs, including …

The celebrated American bass-baritone was slated to appear as Wotan but has withdrawn because of health issues.

People familiar with the findings have said that an investigation found more than two dozen people who said they were sexually harassed or witnessed inappropriate behavior by Domingo over two decades

On February 21, Music of the Baroque announced its 2020-2021 season, the ensemble’s 50th.

LONDON (AP) — Surgeons at King’s College Hospital in London have removed a brain tumor from a woman who played the violin during the procedure. Doctors for violinist Dagmar Turner, 53, mapped her brain before the surgery to identify areas that were active when she played the instrument and those responsible for controlling language and movement. Doctors then woke her …

A year of milestones, the upcoming season marks Joffrey’s 65th season, its 25th in Chicago, the five-year anniversary of its reimagined Nutcracker, and its inaugural season at Lyric Opera House.

When Jamie Gilson came into this world there were fireworks, her website explains. She was born on the Fourth of July 1933. She died quietly at her home on February 11, 2020, with her family around her. She was known primarily as a writer of children’s books, but she also wrote for radio, magazines, and film – WFMT, WBEZ, Chicago …

A North American premiere, a Midwest premiere, and a special opening night concert with Renée Fleming are among the highlights. The 2020-2021 season will also be Sir Andrew’s last as music director.

Marvin Goldsmith, WTTW and WFMT Trustee, died last Thursday evening, February 6, 2020, at age 84. Elected to the Board in June of 1977, “Marv” was one of its longest-serving members. As a trustee, he dedicated valuable time, expertise, and counsel to the Development and Investment Communities, to finance and governance functions, and to the WFMT Radio Committee. He is …

The famed soprano, who enthralled audiences for half a century, at her home in Modena, Italy from a degenerative muscular disease and a series of strokes.

The season, which runs from August 19, 2020, to May 6, 2021, features 36 performances including vocal recitals, symphonic concerts, and ballet performances.

The National Symphony Orchestra has canceled two concerts in Beijing and one in Shanghai next month following China’s virus outbreak. Music director Gianandrea Noseda had been scheduled to lead performances in Beijing on March 13 and March 14 followed by a concert in Shanghai on March 17, all with Chinese pianist Haochen Zhang. The orchestra says the decision was made …

The two-year appointment was created especially for Alsop, who curated Ravinia’s multi-season celebration of the Leonard Bernstein centennial.

The Boston Symphony Orchestra has canceled its coming tour of Asia amid concerns about the deadly virus in China.

Bryn Terfel broke an ankle in three places and will have surgery this week, causing him to cancel what would have been his first performances at the Metropolitan Opera since 2012.

The CSO’s 130th season begins on September 17 with a free concert for Chicago at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park.

WFMT has been lucky enough to share conversations and interviews with many of the 2020 Grammy-nominated artists. Here are all the features with the conductors, composers, and musicians who have been recognized by the Recording Academy.

Ahead of Grammy weekend, a local look at the Chicago-area nominees and hosts!