The Great Chicago Fire began on October 8, 1871. Here’s some music that takes inspiration from flames.

Ten years ago, tenor Jonas Kaufmann was hesitant about taking on heavy Wagnerian roles like the hero of “Tristan und Isolde.” Now, at age 51, Kaufmann is ready to perform a role so challenging, it’s known as a voice killer.

The production is called “Twilight: Gods” and comes a year after Lyric Opera’s production of the complete Ring cycle was scuttled by the pandemic.

Many composers have also answered the call of springtime’s riotous colors during this, the blooming season.

The celebrated American bass-baritone was slated to appear as Wotan but has withdrawn because of health issues.

Think you know a lot about classical music? Robbie Ellis, WFMT host, composer, music director, and comedy songmaker extraordinaire shares four untold musical revelations that will have your head spinning!

Latonia Moore, Eric Owens, Lise Davidsen, J’Nai Bridges, and Leah Hawkins are scheduled to perform, the company said Wednesday, along with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

WFMT is deeply saddened to learn that soprano Jessye Norman has died at age 74. As a tribute to her inspiring life and career, we are re-sharing this story from when Ms. Norman herself visited WFMT.

Brace your ears: the Chicago Air and Water Show is upon us! But there’s more to hear than the roars of the Blue Angels and Red Arrows — take in the excitement while listening to music inspired by aviation and nautical navigation!

Gelb said the season that ended Saturday saw 69 percent of box office revenue capacity realized, up from 67 percent in each of the previous two seasons and a low of 66 percent in 2015-16.

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.

Looking back on his many years experiencing great music in Chicago, Carl shares some of his very favorite performances.

Tom, of Wilmette, IL, has had German Shepherds for almost forty years, and most of them have been named after characters from Wagner’s “Ring Cycle.” Hear his opera-loving dog Loge sing along to Siegfried’s horn call.

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

The opera house can be a scary place – and we’re not talking about all those crazy singers and their shenanigans backstage! Many operas contain ghastly ghouls, ghosts, goblins, witches, dragons, and all kinds of crazy creatures. Here are some of the most frightening pieces from the history of opera.

Get your cauldron brewing with works by Donizetti, Puccini, Haydn, Delibes, and more!

Though the music of your favorite composers might make you smile, chances are, the composers themselves aren’t smiling in their portraits. Until now…

The  latest collaboration between Lyric Opera of Chicago and Second City is LONGER! LOUDER! WAGNER!, which runs through Sunday, October 30 at the Civic Opera House. Actor Tim Ryder, who appeared in The Second City Guide to the Opera  (also in collaboration with Lyric), said: “This show tells two stories in parallel: the story of Richard Wagner as he creates the Ring …

Opera has always been important to composer Rufus Wainwright, though many know him as the man behind the piano crooning confessional songs.

If you’re a music lover, you may have heard of the so-called “Tristan chord” from Wagner’s opera Tristan und Isolde. Audiences were stunned to hear this infamous harmony when the opera premiered on June 10, 1865 in Munich, Germany. As Tristan turns 150, let’s take a look at what makes the Tristan chord so unique. The “Vorspiel,” or Prelude, to Tristan begins with with a “dissonant” chord. The terms “consonance” …

Lyric Opera of Chicago announced its 2016-17 season, scheduled to include eight opera productions on its main stage, one opera production at the Harris Theater, and one musical.

Pieces of music that turned the art form into something it hadn’t seen.

One of the more innovative efforts of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in recent years has been the concert series Beyond the Score. It’s an opportunity to peel the curtain back on a composition, on a composer’s mindset, and on their interaction with orchestral instruments. Each show combines musical excerpts, narration, and visuals to examine a single piece of music. After intermission, …