Last Night of the Proms

Cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason and soprano Lise Davidsen join conductor Marin Alsop and the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus for the celebratory conclusion of the 2023 Proms.

Wagner’s Tannhäuser

Wagner’s audience-favorite Tannhäuser stars Endrik Wottrich stars in the title role.

Payare & Röschmann

Guest conductor Rafael Payare leads music by William Grant Still and Johannes Brahms before welcoming German soprano Dorothea Röschmann to perform Richard Wagner’s Wesendonck Lieder.

Little Traveling Music, Please

Wanderers, farewells, and sightseeing; people are always on the go. This week, Bill calls up, “A Little Traveling Music, Please” from the pens of Handel, Smetana, Duke Ellington, and more. Reflections from such travels infuse themselves into their works, as we will discover throughout the week. We will hear selections from Beethoven’s Les Adieux, Schubert’s Die Schöne Mullerin, and Haydn’s …

Christopher Keene and the Syracuse Symphony

Christopher Keene, the music director of the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra from 1975 to 1984, leads works by Richard Wagner, Alexander Borodin, and Frederick Delius.

Playlist: Loud Classical Music

Whether you are looking to rev up for the race or drown out the din, this playlist of cacophonous classical music is for you.

Mezzo-soprano Katherine DeYoung, Pianists Chris Reynolds and Craig Terry, and Violinist John Macfarlane

Ryan Opera Center Members mezzo-soprano Katherine DeYoung and pianist Chris Reynolds are joined by Lyric Opera of Chicago violinist John Macfarlane and Ryan Opera Center’s Music Director, pianist Craig Terry, in an eclectic program of music by Richard Wagner, Vasyl Barvinsky, Stella Jang, and Marta Keen.

Grace Bumbry, 1st Black singer at Bayreuth, dies at 86

Bumbry was among the winners of the 1958 Met National Council Auditions. She had a recital debut in Paris that same year and made her Paris Opéra debut in 1960.

Thielemann Conducts Bruckner

Christian Thielemann returns to the CSO podium to conduct Bruckner’s Eighth Symphony.

Jaap van Zweden Conducts Tchaikovsky and a Premiere by Julia Adolphe

Cynthia Phelps is featured as soloist in Unearth, Release, a new concerto by Julia Adolphe.

Lyric Opera 2023-2024 Season: Dutchman, Aida, Cinderella, Audra

Next year’s lineup of six mainstage operas offers choices for traditional and contemporary opera fans alike.

Playlist: Classical Fire and Flames

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

Tenor Jonas Kaufmann takes on Tristan, opera’s voice killer

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.

Chicago stages drive-through Wagner in underground garage

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.

Playlist: Classical Music Inspired by Flowers and Nature

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

Eric Owens To Miss Lyric’s 2020 Ring Cycle, Replacements Announced

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

Robbie Ellis’ Comedy Tunes Prove that Classical Music Can Be Funny [Videos]

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!

Met Opera to hold celebration of Jessye Norman on Nov. 24

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.

From 2014: Jessye Norman Visits WFMT

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.

Playlist: Aeronautic and Maritime Music for the Skies and Seas

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!

Met Opera ticket sales improve slightly off 2015-16 low

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 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.

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!

Carl Grapentine’s 10 Favorite Musical Performances During His 32 Years in Chicago

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

Video | Loge, the Opera-Loving German Shepherd, Sings Along to Wagner

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.