SymphonyCast - March  6, 2023

On this week’s episode of SymphonyCast, the Minnesota Orchestra welcomes back a fan-favorite guest, Karina Canellakis. She returns to the podium to lead a program that features Richard Strauss’ musical depiction of 

. And cellist Jean-Guihen Queyras makes his Minnesota Orchestra debut. Listen now with guest host Melissa Ousley!  

JULIA (AMANDA) PERRY: A Short Piece for Orchestra

RICHARD STRAUSS: Don Quixote Fantastic Variations on a Theme of Knightly Character

Melissa Ousley stumbled into a career in broadcasting many years ago when she moved to Wichita, Kansas to be near her soon-to-be husband. The attraction (to radio work, that is) was immediate and the chance to be around great music without having to practice piano was irresistible. After establishing herself as a host and producer in Kansas, Melissa moved to Minnesota and continued her work at WCAL in Northfield and Minnesota Public Radio in St. Paul. Her morning classical show at WCAL was twice named "Best Classical Radio Program" by the Twin Cities paper City Pages. Melissa grew up near New York City. As a teenager, she attended the Preparatory Division of the Manhattan School of Music. Her bachelor's degree in music education is from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. When she's away from the airwaves, Melissa loves to run, read, and spend time with her family.


Nate Ryan/MPR

Melissa Ousley

On this week’s episode of SymphonyCast, the Minnesota Orchestra welcomes back a fan-favorite guest, Karina Canellakis. She returns to the podium to lead a program that features Richard Strauss’ musical depiction of ‘Don Quixote.’ Listen now with guest host Melissa Ousley!


Minnesota Orchestra

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