A copy of what’s being called Stephen Sondheim’s first original cast recording captures the legendary composer’s budding skills in a student-led musical while at Williams College in 1948.

Some of the most intriguing, spine-curdling, and spirited musical events all around the Chicago area.

In addition to the annual CSO residency, Ravinia will play host to a spate of guest ensembles, including Music of the Baroque, The Knights, the Lincoln Trio, Chanticleer, the Chicago Philharmonic, and the Chicago Sinfonietta.

Plus a world premiere, Chicago-set take on ‘The Barber of Seville’ and the return of ‘West Side Story’

Labels really don’t work with Sondheim, who had one foot in the Golden Age and the other in what came next.

As we reflect on the year gone by, Classical WFMT salutes the contributions of members of the arts community who died this past year.

Stephen Sondheim, the songwriter who reshaped the American musical theater in the second half of the 20th century, has died.

“Summertime” from George Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess is one of the one most popular songs in the Great American Songbook. But did you know that neither the tune to “Summertime” nor the lyrics are by George Gershwin?

We spoke with the Chicago theater institution’s founder and artistic director about the music that inspires her.