The Queen City’s venerable opera company is departing from its familiar repertory to present something timely and powerful – a rhythm & blues opera called I Dream . James Meena, general director and principal conductor of Opera Carolina, talk about his aspirations for this new work, and composer Douglas Tappin speaks about how his musical hybrid is ideal for telling the story of the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Learn more about Opera Carolina's performance of I Dream James Meena Douglas Tappin  

As the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra (CSO) wraps up its latest Classical Series, there will be a rare opportunity to hear a Concerto for Tuba and Orchestra written by contemporary composer Mark Petering. We speak with Mark about his work "Lament" from Concerto for Tuba, and some of his earlier work – including a composition for orchestra and locomotive. We also speak with soloist Aubrey Foard, the CSO’s Principal “Tubist,” about playing Petering’s work for the first time, his musical origins and the challenges of the work. Learn more about the Charlotte Symphony Mozart's Jupiter program. Mark Petering Aubrey Foard   View Mark Petering's Train and Tower for orchestra and locomotive .

On this edition two guests speak about the End-of-Year Masterworks Performance by the Choral Arts Society of Davidson. The concert features the latest work by prolific composer Dan Forrest. It’s called Jubilate Deo, and uses texts in several languages including Latin, Mandarin and Zulu. The composer speaks about the inspiration for this new piece, as well as “the supremacy of the human voice,” and Choral Arts Society director Christopher Gilliam tells us how the ensemble works to give audiences unique artistic experiences. Learn more about the End-of-Year Masterworks Performance: Jubilate Deo by Dan Forrest . Dan Forrest Christopher Gilliam

Conductor John Gordon Ross of the Western Piedmont Symphony bids farewell to the podium after twenty-seven years. He spoke with WDAV about his plans for retirement, how the orchestra has changed over the years, and what he’s enjoyed about living in Hickory. Gordon's farewell concert will be held at Lenoir Rhine University in Hickory. The concert features Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 , with the Hickory Choral Society, Lenoir Rhyne A Capella Choir, and Catawba Valley Community College Chamber Singers. Learn more about the concert at the Western Piedmont Symphony website .

New Yorker cartoonist Matthew Diffee speaks with WDAV about his exhibit “One Man Group Show” at the Hickory Museum of Art. He talks about his training in fine art, and about how standup comedy led him to drawing cartoons. Pictured: Matthew Diffie self-portrait/ matthewdiffee.com Learn more about the One Man Group Show

Linda Weisbruch of the Symphony Guild of Charlotte speaks about the popular, yearly "Heart of the Home" Kitchen Tour. In addition to details about the six homes that are part of the event, she also discusses the positive impact the Guild has on the Charlotte Symphony, and why the orchestra is so important to her.

Artistic Director and Conductor Cathy Youngblood of the Caritas Ensemble talks with WDAV about upcoming concerts at Davidson College Presbyterian Church and Christ Episcopal in Charlotte. She talks about the group’s purpose, and why she believes choral music is “the deepest expression of the soul.”

Singers from Opera Carolina's production of Verdi’s Rigoletto talk with WDAV about their upcoming performances at the Belk Theater in the North Carolina Blumenthal Performing Arts Center.  Magali Simard-Galdés, who performs the role of Gilda, and tenor Raffaele Abbate, who plays the Duke, speak about their characters, their favorite moments in the opera, and their impressions of the Queen City.  There's also bonus audio of the singers in rehearsal at Toledo Opera, which partnered on this production, performing two famous arias from the work: La dona e mobile and Tutte le feste al tempio .  Visit Opera Carolina to learn more Magali Simard-Galdés Raffaele Abbate  

Christopher Warren-Green, music director of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra (CSO), speaks with WDAV about the concerts and guest artist in its 2018-2019 season. Maestro Warren-Green describes his excitement for the new season and how the concerts will mix the traditional with the new. For more information about the season, visit the Charlotte Symphony website .

Scott Allen Jarrett speaks with WDAV about the Bach Akademie of Charlotte’s upcoming concerts in Davidson and Charlotte. Scott spoke about the program of sacred music by the Bach Family, which also features renowned countertenor Reginal Mobley and the North Carolina Baroque Orchestra. Pictured: Scott Allen Jarrett Learn more about the Bach Family Motets and Cantatas concerts