Edward Leonard conducts the Chamber Orchestra of Pittsburgh  and Pittsburgh Symphony Co-Principal Bassoon David Sogg in the American premiere of a Bassoon Concerto by Antonin Reichenauer with the premiere of recent Shadyside Academy graduate Gustav Liden’s Bassoon Concerto played by Principal Contrabassoon James Rodgers.  Organist Bill Larson plays the Handel Organ Concerto op. 4 No. 3 and Haydn’s Symphony No 59, “Fire” at the First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh 605 Morewood Avenue.  Hear all about it with Maestro Leonard, David Sogg and Gustav Liden!

Choral Fantasy featuring Beethoven and other singing from Duquesne University ensembles this Sunday January 29 3pm at East Liberty Presbyterian Church Free. Dr. Caron Daly Director of Choral Activities at Duquesne with the Arsenal Duo Nathan Carterette, piano and Edward Alan Moore with a preview.

Violinist Jennifer Orchard will present a Music 101 lecture recital Wednesday February 1 at 12:30 in the Heinz Hall Dorothy Porter Simmons Regency Rooms. Pianist Igor Kraevsky will accompany in music by Paul Juon from their recent cd. Jennifer will share her story beginning in London Ontario through Curtis Institute and her work with the Lark Quartet. Igor tells us about his work at City Music Center and his early years in St Petersberg Russia and his teacher who knew Shostakovich and Prokofiev well.

Education Director for Opera Theater Pittsburgh Anqwenique Wingfield talks about the series of workshops leading up to a June performance of a world premiere opera "A Gathering of Sons."  Opera Theater is creating a new work on racial conflict in America seen through the lens of police brutality. The score combines classical, jazz and gospel elements with operatic voice. Two top regional Black artists are collaborating - composer Dwayne Fulton (in his third project with OTP) and poet Tameka Cage-Conley, a recently appointed fellow to Iowa Writers Workshop.  Mark Clayton Southers, the acclaimed artistic director of Pittsburgh Playwrights Theater Company, is staging the piece. 

Workshops take place at Pittsburgh Playwrights Theater on January 26th; February 12th at the Father Ryan Arts Center in McKees Rocks; February18th at Judah Fellowship in the Hill District; March 10th at First United Methodist Church on Center Avenue; and March 15th at the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council before shows in June at the Mt. Ararat Baptist Church, Rodef Shalom Temple, the Hill House and  the final performances this summer at Winchester Thurston School.  Anqwenique discusses bringing opera to new parts of the community and how the classical music world can become a more colorful scene.

CMU Opera presents Strauss' "Die Fledermaus" January 26th through the 29th in the Chosky Theater at the Purcell Center for the Arts.  Sophie Thompson interviews the opera's Director and the opera's "Eisenstein."

Conductor Michael Beattie talks about the music in Handel's opera, Richard the Lionheart, being presented by Pittsburgh Opera January 21-29, 2017 at the Capa Theater.

Leah de Gruyl plays the role of Richard in Pittsburgh Opera's production of Handel's Richard the Lionheart - January 21-29, 2017 at the Capa Theater.  Ms. de Gruhl talks about the challenges of playing a 'pants' role.

Stage Director Crystal Manich talks about the look of Pittsburgh Opera's production of Handel's Richard the Lionheart - January 21-29, 2017 at the Capa Theater.

Claudia Rosenthal sings the role of Pulcheria in Pittsburgh Opera's production of Handel's Richard the Lionheart - January 21-29, 2017 at the Capa Theater.  Ms. Rosenthal talks about her role and some of the challenges with this opera.

Pittsburgh Opera present's Handel's "Richard the Lionheart" January 21st through 29th at the Capa Theater.   Claudia Rosenthal, singing the role of Pulcheria, and Glenn Lewis, Head of Music, stopped by WQED-FM to perform "Ai guardi tuoi", as well as talk about the opera.