Radio Highlights

Saturday, May 25 at 1pm
Saturday at the Opera: Lyric Opera of Chicago
We welcome back this series of broadcasts of the Lyric Opera of Chicago, considered one of the top three U.S. opera companies. The series begins with Giuseppe Verdi's Simon Boccanegra, starring Thomas Hampson in the title role. Sir Andrew Davis conducts.

Saturday, May 25 at 5pm
From the Top
Hosted by Christopher O'Riley
Today's show was presented at the Amphitheater at the Chautauqua Institution. You'll hear a young composer play piano for one of his own compositions with a talented violinist, a talented 18-year-old soprano, a violinist from Illinois, a 13-year-old pianist, and a guitarist from Minnesota.

Sunday, May 26 at 6am
Harmonia, with Angela Mariani
We're marking the birth of John Dowland, the death of Carlo Gesualdo, and saying goodbye to a friend, oboist Washington McClain.

Sunday, May 26 at 7am
Sunday Baroque
Hosted by Suzanne Bona
On this Memorial Day weekend, we'll offer music of remembrance and reflection, including selections from a hauntingly beautiful and ancient Requiem Mass.

Sunday, May 26 at 6pm
Sunday at the Symphony: Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Pierre Boulez conducts Richard Wagner's Siegfried Idyll and the prelude to Parsifal. Michael Barenboim, son of pianist and conductor Daniel Baremboim, is soloist in Arnold Schoenberg's Violin Concerto. Also on the program are the Adagio from Gustav Mahler's Symphony #10 and J. S. Bach's Concerto in C Major from BWV 1064, arranged by Ton Koopman for violin, flute, oboe, and bassoon.

Sunday, May 26 at 8pm
Pittsburgh Symphony with Jim Cunningham
Leif Ove Andsnes plays Beethoven's Piano Concerto #1, and Manfred Honeck conducts marches, waltzes and polkas.

Saturday, June 1 at 1pm
Saturday at the Opera: Lyric Opera of Chicago
Jules Massenet: Werther
When it comes to romances that tear at the heartstrings, this one ranks among the best. Goethe's novel on which it's based made him the toast of Europe. Massenet's emotionally vivid music – sometimes grandiose, sometimes fragile – brilliantly illuminates the complex psychology of its troubled protagonists. Tenor superstar Matthew Polenzani portrays the poet Werther, smitten by the lovely Charlotte, sung by Sophie Koch. Sir Andrew Davis conducts.

Saturday, June 1 at 5pm
From the Top
Hosted by Christopher O'Riley
This highlights program showcases From the Top alumni, and takes a look at what they're doing now.

Saturday, June 1 at 6pm
A Prairie Home Companion
hosted by Garrison Keillor
Live from Ann Arbor, Michigan, with special guests, folk balladeer Ellis and Croatian-born blues pianist Radoslav Lorković. Every Saturday night, A Prairie Home Companion features comedy sketches, music, and Garrison Keillor's signature monologue, The News from Lake Wobegon.

Sunday, June 2 at 6am
Harmonia, with Angela Mariani
Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, is believed to have said, "Paris is not a city, but a universe." We'll visit Paris on this morning's show, and recall the history of some of its most musical attractions. And, we'll stay near Notre Dame Cathedral for our featured recording.

Sunday, June 2 at 7am
Sunday Baroque
Hosted by Suzanne Bona
The summer music festival season is beginning, and these events can attract musicians from all over the world to perform music from the baroque era. As you consider summer vacation plans, we’ll review a few of your opportunities to hear music at upcoming festivals.

Sunday, June 2 at 6pm
Sunday at the Symphony: Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Sir Mark Elder conducts a Shakespeare-influenced program, including Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet, Elgar’s Falstaff, “The Walk to the Paradise Garden” from Delius’ A Village Romeo and Juliet, and Symphonic Dances from Bernstein’s West Side Story (conducted by Robert Spano).

Sunday, June 2 at 8pm
Pittsburgh Symphony with Jim Cunningham
Manfred Honeck conducts Antonin Dvorak’s Biblical Songs with baritone Thomas Hampson as soloist. And, with soprano Chen Reiss and the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh, the concert features Johannes Brahms’ German Requiem.

Monday-Friday, May 27-31 at 9pm
Exploring Music with Bill McGlaughlin
This week�s programs focus on composers' reactions to armed conflict, including the great War Requiem by Benjamin Britten. We'll also feature music by Beethoven, Haydn and Shostakovich. more info