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

Her works have been performed at the BBC Proms and by ensembles including the Sydney Symphony and the Minnesota Orchestra. She also performs as a pianist and electronic musician.

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.

Commercial and critical darling Kendrick Lamar wins Pulitzer

Kendrick Lamar has won the Pulitzer Prize for music, making history as the first non-classical or jazz artist to win the prestigious prize.

Visa difficulties force Esperanza Spalding, National Symphony Orchestra of Cuba to cancel Chicago concert

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra has announced that a concert featuring the National Symphony Orchestra of Cuba with Esperanza Spalding, originally scheduled for February 9, 2019, has been cancelled.

For the Record: The Library of Congress Welcomes Four Classical Recordings to the National Recording Registry

Every year since 2002, the National Recording Registry selects a number of sound recordings to honor. Here are four classical recordings registered this year.

Levine fired by Met after it finds evidence of sexual abuse

The company says “it would be inappropriate and impossible for Mr. Levine to continue to work at the Met.”

Classical radio host Carl Grapentine announces retirement from “dream job” at WFMT

WFMT’s longtime Morning Program host Carl Grapentine landed what he describes as his “dream job” by chance. He first heard about WFMT in the early 1970s from his colleagues at WQRS, a classical radio station in Detroit that modeled itself after WFMT. Years later, while attending the Concert Music Broadcasters Association in Chicago, “I got up the courage to speak …

Lyric Opera of Chicago Announces 2018/19 Season

Today, Lyric Opera of Chicago announced its 2018/19 including special performances by sopranos Anna Netrebko and Renée Fleming.

Chicago Symphony Orchestra Announces 2018/19 Season, Muti Extends Contract Through 2022

Today, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association announced programming for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Symphony Center Presents 2018/19 season.