Artist Icebreaker: Conductor Yue Bao

Ahead of Yue Bao’s Chicago Symphony Orchestra debut at the Ravinia Festival this Sunday, August 8, she reveals to us some conducting secrets, her favorite cities for music, and more!

A Walking Tour of 12 LGBTQ+ Artists Whose Legacies Are on Display in Chicago

In the Lakeview Neighborhood, the Legacy Walk, a series of ten 25-foot pylons, recognizes influential figures across genders, races, and fields.

LGBTQ Pride Month 2021 on WFMT

This LGBTQ Pride Month, WFMT honors the numerous LGBTQ artists and composers who have changed classical music for the better.

Joffrey Announces 2021-22 Season In First Year At Lyric

From The Nutcracker to Don Quixote be the first to learn about what the Joffrey Ballet’s next season has in store!

‘A rose for love and a book forever’: Literature for Music Lovers on World Book Day

WFMT host Candice Agree has selected some of her favorite works of literature that have inspired musical compositions for you to enjoy on World Book Day.

Russia wants Tchaikovsky music for anthem at Tokyo Olympics

Russia wants to use music by 19th-century composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky as its replacement anthem for the Tokyo Olympics.

Playlist: Electrifying Classical Music Fireworks

With many of the major annual fireworks displays on hold this year because of COVID-19, WFMT is bringing you the fire with a curated playlist of pyrotechnic music.

Playlist: Classical Music For Mother’s Day

In operatic, vocal, and instrumental selections , we pay tribute to the influential maternal figures in all of our lives.

Renowned Italian soprano Mirella Freni dies at age 84

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.

Discover What Makes Tchaikovsky’s ‘Nutcracker’ Sound Like Sugar, Spice, and Everything Nice

Conductor Scott Speck, who leads the Chicago Philharmonic for performances of The Nutcracker with Joffrey Ballet, explained what makes Tchaikovsky’s score as addictive as your favorite holiday treats.

Playlist: Christmas Classics Performed by Chicago Artists

Chicagoans really know how to celebrate the holidays! Here’s a playlist of Christmas favorites as performed by Chicago-area artists and ensembles.

Quiz: What Movement of ‘The Nutcracker Suite’ Are You?

Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker isn’t just a popular holiday ballet. The composer grouped eight pieces in his Nutcracker Suite, which is often performed in concert. But, which movement of the “Nutcracker Suite” are you? Are you the “Spanish Dance?” “The Waltz of the Flowers?” Take the quiz and find out!

Playlist: Classical Music From Composers’ School Days

Just because the school year is right around the corner doesn’t mean that you have to stop playing (or writing) music. As proof, here are 16 pieces from composers written when they were still students!

Lyric Opera of Chicago Announces 2019-2020 Season, With Wagner’s ‘Ring’ Cycle, ‘Don Giovanni’, ‘Madama Butterfly’

Lyric’s 2019-2020 season will include seven mainstage operas (three of which are company premieres), three full performances of Lyric’s new Ring cycle, and the Broadway at Lyric premiere of 42nd Street.

Playlist: WFMT Selects Classical Music to Help You Brave the Winter

Winter can be grueling, but music can warm and soothe. Here’s the music that helps WFMT get through the season.

Video: Dover Quartet Plays Tchaikovsky and Dvořák at Northwestern’s Galvin Recital Hall

One of the world’s leading classical ensembles, joined WFMT for a Facebook Live at Northwestern University’s Galvin Recital Hall and shared their experience as classical musicians in the digital age.

Grant Park Music Festival Announces 2019 Season

The eighty-fifth annual season opens June 12 and will run through August 17, with most performances taking place at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park.

8 Great Christmas Recordings for 2018

Every year, the holiday season brings a new assortment of fabulous and festive Christmas albums. Host Lisa Flynn guides us through 8 of her top classical Christmas recordings for 2018.

Celebrate 125 Years of the Art Institute of Chicago with WFMT! An Art-Inspired Morning of Music on Dec. 8

WFMT is proud to celebrate the Art Institute of Chicago’s 125th anniversary – here’s to 125 more years of great art!

6 of the Most Famous Classical Music Feuds Between Composers

The history of music is full of friendships and feuds. These composers certainly had complicated relationships. What are your favorite composer clashes?

Joffrey’s ‘Swan Lake’ Launches a New Season of Ballet and Music

Joffrey Ballet’s artistic director, Ashley Wheater, and music director, Scott Speck, discuss “Swan Lake,” Joffrey’s 2018-19 season, and ballet’s unique and rich creative relationship with music.

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 Opera Theater Announces Three New-to-Chicago Operas for 2018/19 Season

Chicago Opera Theater today announced its 2018/19 season composed of three new-to-Chicago works, continuing the company’s commitment to presenting new and rarely performed operas.

Video: Violinist Stefan Milenkovich and pianist Rohan de Silva perform LIVE at WFMT

Watch celebrated Serbian violinist Stefan Milenkovich and acclaimed pianist Rohan de Silva share works by Beethoven, Ravel, Paganini, and Tchaikovsky.

Grant Park Music Festival Announces 2018 Season

The summer festival’s 2018 season of concerts runs for 10 weeks from June 13 to August 18.