Banjo is one of those ubiquitous musical instruments we see and hear in movies and bluegrass concerts, but without really knowing much about it. John Bullard is a banjo virtuoso, and his musical tastes and expertise include playing music from the classical tradition. He and Suzanne had a conversation about the history of the instrument, its unique qualities, and his path to playing a wide repertory, including baroque music, on the banjo.

The lute enjoyed its greatest popularity from the late 15th through late 17th centuries, when many people played the instrument and composed music for it. But thanks to a handful of masterful contemporary lutenists, such as Ronn McFarlane, the instrument continues to thrive in the 21st century. Suzanne spoke with the versatile musician about the lute's history, and his passion for the instrument and its varied repertory.

Ton Koopman began his musical education and career in the 1950s, at the leading edge of the revival of interest in baroque music. His outstanding reputation as a harpsichordist, organist, conductor and teacher has Johann Sebastian Bach's music as its foundation, yet it includes Bach's contemporaries and predecessors as well as many classical and romantic era musicians. Over the decades, Ton Koopman has collaborated with some of the world's most accomplished musicians and ensembles, and he joined Suzanne for a conversation about his experiences.

Avi Avital is a mandolin player and a composer with a broad repertory for his instrument, from many different genres. Suzanne spoke with him about the mandolin and his 2015 recording of Vivaldi Mandolin Concertos with the Venice Baroque Orchestra.

The visual arts and artists of the 17th century are much better known than the music and composers of that same time period, and guitarist Richard Savino wanted to address that oversight. He embarked on a comprehensive project to integrate the paintings of artists such as Artemisia Gentileschi and her contemporaries with music by composers such as Andrea Falconieri, Dario Castello, Giovanni Kapsberger and others. The result is the 2015 recording What Artemesia Heard featuring Richard Savino and his group El Mundo, and he spoke with Sunday Baroque host Suzanne Bona about it.

Guitarist Sharon Isbin is a passionate and articulate advocate for her instrument and for music in general. As an international performer, recording artist, teacher and mentor she is shaping the future of the popular instrument. Suzanne spoke with Sharon Isbin about her impressive career

Masaaki Suzuki is a leading expert on baroque music and Johann Sebastian Bach, and he directs performances all over the world of baroque masterpieces by Bach and his contemporaries. In April 2014 he led top students from Yale and Juilliard in NYC and New Haven concerts of Bach's St. John Passion. Professor Suzuki made time to stop by the Sunday Baroque studio between those performances to talk about his approach to Bach and music in general.

German-born musician Matthias Maute has achieved an international reputationas conductor, recorder and flute player and as a composer. He is artisticdirector of Ensemble Caprice in Canada, and performs all over the world atfestivals and with other ensembles. His many recordings are regularlyfeatured on Sunday Baroque, and Suzanne had the chance to welcome him in thestudio to discuss his creative approach to being a musician.

Ronn McFarlane and Mark Cudek are among the most sought-after performers specializing in baroque and early music. The founding members of the Baltimore Consort spoke with Suzanne about their trio with Mindy Rosenfeld - Gut, Wind and Wire. They explained the inside scoop on the group's name, talked about some of the unusual instruments they play, and revealed of their surprising and diverse musical tastes.

Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643) is often called the first great opera composer, and the opera Il ritorno d'Ulisse (The Return of Ulysses) was one of Monteverdi's late masterpieces. Unfortunately it's not often performed, so The Yale Baroque Opera Project's production in early May 2012 marks its New Haven premiere. The semester-long preparations have brought together talented undergraduate and graduate students, and faculty from Yale's Music and Theatre departments as part of a larger project to promote the study and performance of Baroque opera. Three Yale professors who are working on YBOP, Ellen Rosand, Toni Dorfman and Grant Herreid, had a lively and informative discussion with Suzanne about this thrilling production and their ongoing baroque opera collaboration.