Arts Conversations

We're in the midst of WHRO's virtual chamber music concert series, featuring exclusive performances from local musicians. The next concert features soprano Anna Feucht and pianist Steve Kolb. Rebecca Weinstein spoke with Anna about the music on the program, how life has been during the pandemic, and her love of mad scenes.

We're in the midst of WHRO's virtual chamber music concert series, featuring exclusive performances from local musicians. The next concert features pianist Lee Jordan-Anders. Rebecca Weinstein spoke with her about how life has been lately, the music she’s sharing with us, and how she wants us to walk away from her performance feeling.

Wayla speaks with flutist Debra Wendells Cross and harpist Barbara Chapman, both longtime members of the Virginia Symphony and this week's featured artists in WHRO's Virtual Chamber Music Concert Series.

We're in the midst of WHRO's virtual chamber music concert series, featuring exclusive performances from local musicians. Our second concert in the series is by guitarist Todd Holcomb. Rebecca Weinstein spoke with him about the recording process for the concert, the music he’s sharing with us, and how he gets in his performance state of mind.

This week kicks off WHRO's virtual chamber music concert series, featuring exclusive performances from local musicians. Our first concert in the series is by the New Commonwealth Quartet, and Wayla Chambo spoke with members of the group about their experiences making music over the past several months.

WHRO-FM will air "The Ballad of the Brown King," a cantata by Margaret Bonds on Saturday, December 19. Rebecca Weinstein interviewed Malcolm J. Merriweather, who directed this world premiere recording with the Dessoff Choirs.

James Blachly speaks with Wayla about his recently released premiere recording of The Prison (1930) by Dame Ethel Smyth, why he considers it a neglected masterpiece, and what particular meaning it might hold for us in 2020.

Virginia Opera was forced to cancel its production of Aida due to COVID-19, but the company is still working to stay connected with opera lovers across Virginia. This Thursday, April 30, Virginia Opera will stream a production of La Boheme from 2015 on YouTube. Rebecca interviewed Artistic Director Adam Turner about how the company is coping during these tough times.

Jae Sinnett, host of Sinnett in Session on WHRV had a few moments to speak with Randy Thomas, president and owner The Vanguard Brewpub & Distillery about their mandated shutdown, their opportunity to be part of the distillery team making hand sanitizer for the U.S. government, and the creative ways they are still working to support local musicians during the shutdown. Out of bad, comes good!

Dr. Glenn Winters discusses the final Virginia Opera production of this season, Verdi's epic masterpiece Aida.