Sarah Aziz, Director of the Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival and Director of Festival Management for the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, tells WQED FM about the upcoming Three Rivers Arts Festival, which runs from June 4-13, 2021.

WQED-FM's Anna Singer speaks with Marianne Cornetti and Chris Powell of Pittsburgh Festival Opera about their upcoming season, as well as their Memorial Day concert on the Pittsburgh Ballet Theater Open Air stage.

Maestro Osmo Vanska talks about his new recording of the Mahler Symphony No. 10 and his plans to record all the Mahler Symphonies even though he wil step down as Music Director in 2022. He enjoys guest conducting, still has an orchestra in Korea and will return to Heinz Hall the season after next. About the Mahler 10, he points to the special viola writing, the tuba, Alma Mahler's wild and crazy time, the private messages Mahler wrote on his manuscript and much more. Osmo Vanska says he spent much of the pandemic practicing the clarinet, doing push ups and enjoying time with loved ones. He's had a home in Minnesota over the past two decades where he loves the cold weather and he describes the generous funding classical radio receives from the Finnish government.

Richard Danielpour talks about his long association with Pittsburgh and the recording of his Concerto for Orchestra with the Pittsbugh Symphony and David Zinman, his newest cd "An American Mosaic" with Simone Dinnerstein and the 2021 Grammy winning Passion of Yeshua with the Buffalo Philharmonic and Joann Faletta.

Eva Tumiel Kozak, Editor of the Polish Journal published by the Polish Cultural Council of Pittsburgh, board member of the Council, and former Executive Director of the Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble was also the founding Managing Director of the Three Rivers Piano Compettion. She worked to bring composer Krzysztof Penderecki to Pittsburgh to receive an honorary degree at Duquesne University. She remembers his visit to Pittsburgh on the occasion of the one year anniversary of his death in March 2020 and describes the benefits of becoming a member of the Polish Cultural Council in this conversation with Jim Cunningham.

Crisis Center North’s 14th Annual Cocktails & Cuisine returns as an exciting live virtual concert and auction. Streaming virtually via Zoom and Facebook Live on Friday, May 14, 2021, beginning at 6:00 pm EDT and includes two principal components: Concert for Crisis and Auction for Advocacy!  WQED-FM's  Anna Singer spoke with Tania and Jeff Grubbs, who will take part in the "Concert for Crisis" and perform favorites from the American songbook and classics you love.

WQED-FM's Anna Singer spoke with Pittsburgh Opera Music Director Antony Walker about Handel's "Semele," the final production in their 2020-2021 season.  Maestro Walker talks about the opera's music, working with Chatham Baroque, and more.

WQED-FM's Anna Singer spoke with Stage Director Kristine McIntyre about Pittsburgh Opera's production of Handel's "Semele," the final show in their 2020-2021 season.  Kristine talks about setting the opera in Art Deco, favorite moments, and more.

WQED-FM's Anna Singer spoke with Jeremy Harr about his dual roles in Handel's "Semele," the final production of Pittsburgh Opera's 2020-2021 season.  Jeremy talks about his roles of Cadmus and Somnus, moments to listen for in the opera, and more.

WQED-FM's Anna Singer spoke with Veronique Filloux, who sings the title role in Handel's "Semele," the final production in Pittsburgh Opera's 2020-2021 season.  She talks about her role, some of her favorite moments from the opera, and more.