Impromptu | WFMT

Since its founding in 2005, M5 MEXICAN BRASS has established itself as Mexico’s leading brass quintet. Combining their skills performing virtuosic chamber music in all styles with non-stop interaction with the audience and impressive showmanship, the musicians of M5 create unique musical-theatrical experiences. As one of Mexico’s most active cultural ambassadors, the group has been touring […]

The American String Quartet premieres a new work by Paul Cantelon at the University of Chicago this evening. It’s based on Salman Rushdie’s 2008 novel, The Enchantress of Florence, with the venerable author reading excerpts amidst the music.

Join us for a special Valentine’s Day Impromptu featuring Joseph Calleja. The Maltese tenor is back in Chicago to sing the role of Don José in the Lyric Opera’s production of Bizet’s Carmen. You can be part of this concert and conversation by joining a Facebook Live chat with Calleja immediately following his Impromptu. Post your questions or […]

Extolled by the Washington Post as “exuding a sultry sophistication during performances”, Imani Winds has carved a unique path with its dynamic playing and culturally poignant programming. We’re very happy to welcome the wind quintet back to Impromptu, and congratulate the ensemble on their two-year appointment as the Don Michael Randel Ensemble-in-Residence at the University […]

WFMT welcomes GRAMMY-nominated lutenist, Ronn McFarlane to Impromptu. He and fellow all-star veteran of the lute, Paul O’Dette, perform virtuoso duets from Elizabethan Italy and England at the University of Chicago on January 8. www.RonnMcFarlane.com Sunday, January 8, 2017 – 3:00 pm Ronn McFarlane and Paul O’Dette For Two Lutes: Virtuoso Duets from Italy and […]

On a summer evening in 1966, conductor Seiji Ozawa told the blues musicians of Siegel-Schwall, “I’d like your band to sit in with my band…” And so emerged a unique, musical mashup of Blues and Classical. Inspired by Muddy Waters, Howlin Wolf, William Russo, Mozart, and virtuosity from many cultures, Corky Siegel’s Chamber Blues continues […]

A magnificent ensemble of musicians from the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center will perform two of Bach’s “Six Concertos for Various Instruments”, BWV 1049 — Brandenburg Concerto No.4 in G major and BWV 1050 — Brandenburg Concerto No.5 in D major. They will play the full set during their concert this evening at the […]

Pianist Lara Downes, a 2016 Laureate of the Sphinx Organization Medals of Excellence Award, celebrates the release of her new album America Again, inspired by the Langston Hughes’ poem, “Let America Be America Again.” The album explores music that expresses different facets of the American dream and features music by composers including Duke Ellington, Lou […]

For 25 years, Writers Theatre has presented inventive and intimate interpretations of classic works and contemporary theatre.  Enter PigPen Theatre, the award-winning creators of the WT smash hit The Old Man and The Old Moon, who are back in town with their new musical folktale, The Hunter and The Bear. Stream the full program above, or […]

The soul of the Spanish guitar runs in Pablo Villegas’s blood. Born and raised in La Rioja, Spain – the country with unique and deep ties to his chosen instrument – Villegas is distinguished by performances as charismatic as they are intimate. We were muy feliz to welcome this wonderful musician back to the Levin […]