Saturday Cinema - May 16, 2026

Lynne has been at this radio thing since 1984 when she fell into an historic job at KFAC AM and FM, the commercial classical station in Los Angeles.  She was the first woman staff announcer in the station's history, and it was such big news back then, it made the LA newspapers and national radio publications.  She is thrilled women in radio is no longer newsworthy.


Lynne Warfel

On the latest episode of ‘Saturday Cinema,’ host Lynne Warfel celebrates famous folks born in May, including Erich Wolfgang Korngold, John Wayne, Katharine Hepburn, Henry Fonda, Jimmy Stewart and more. Listen now!


Schott Music Gmbh & Co.

More May birthdays

Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera dream together again at Met Opera

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Jeff Lunden

Gabriela Lena Frank's first opera, in its Met debut, sees late Mexican painter Frida Kahlo leaving the underworld on the Day of the Dead to be reunited with her husband and fellow artist Diego Rivera.


Marty Sohl/Met Opera

Where we turn up the voices of Black artists in the world of classical music, with host Vernon Neal.

Rhapsody in Black - Tania Leon

Vernon Neal is the host of the podcast ‘Rhapsody in Black,’ where we turn up the voices of Black artists in the world of classical music.


Host/Producer

Vernon Neal

Tania León has been hailed as an astoundingly original composer and a music ambassador who continues to impact classical music significantly. Her inspiring story showcases her perseverance and commitment to excellence in the face of adversity. Find out more in the latest episode of the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast. 


Chris Lee

Tania León is a master at weaving diverse musical influences together

New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - May 13, 2026

New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - Gil Shaham

New Classical Tracks - Gil Shaham

Julie Amacher's desire to introduce others to great music is what led her to radio. She began her professional broadcast career at a station in Sun Prairie, Wis. She went from rock 'n' roll to the Rocky Mountains, where she found her niche in public radio at KUNC in Greeley, Colo. Julie spent 13 years at KUNC, where she managed the announcers and their eclectic music format. During that time, she earned four national awards for best announcer. She joined Minnesota Public Radio in 1997 as an on-air host and also produces New Classical Tracks, a weekly podcast sharing behind-the-scenes stories about a new release each week. It airs locally at 7:15 a.m. and 5 p.m. Wednesdays and at 9 a.m. on Saturdays.


Julie Amacher

On the latest episode of ‘New Classical Tracks,’ violinist Gil Shaham performs Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s Violin Concerto alongside conductor Eric Jacobson and the Virginia Symphony Orchestra. Listen now with host Julie Amacher!


Gil Shaham, Eric Jacobson and the Virginia Symphony Orchestra perform Coleridge-Taylor

Extra Eclectic - May 11, 2026

Composers have quoted, borrowed from, and paid tribute to earlier composers for centuries, and Steve Seel brings us some contemporary examples on this episode of ‘Extra Eclectic.’ Featured composers include Caroline Shaw, Greg Saunier and Curt Sydnor. Listen now!


Kait Moreno

Beats, Bach and Beethoven

Minnesota Orchestra - May  8, 2026

Minnesota Orchestra - April 24, 2026

On Friday, May 8, Minnesota Orchestra’s Thomas Søndergård delivered a program including selections from operas by Wagner and Bartók, featuring guest soloists Michelle DeYoung and Nathan Berg. Listen to the concert now!


Zoe Prinds-Flash

Listen: Sondergard leads the Minnesota Orchestra in Wagner and Bartok

FA: Will Sharpe (Amadeus)

Ann Marie Baldonado

Sharpe played a newly rich tech bro on vacation in The White Lotus. Now he's starring as Mozart, a musical genius who struggles to "read the room" in a new limited TV series.


Adrienn Szabo/Starz

Will Sharpe imagines Mozart's day-to-day in 'Amadeus'

Earth, Wind & Fire's founder wrote orchestral music. It hadn't been heard until now

Hosts

An orchestra performs the world premiere of a piece by the late Earth, Wind & Fire founder Maurice White, 23 years after he composed it.


Carlo Allegri/Getty Images, via NPR

Minnesota Opera's cast talks about Ruggero Leoncavallo's 'Pagliacci' 

MN Opera - Ruggero Leoncavallo's 'Pagliacci' Interview

Steve Staruch can be heard on Classical Minnesota Public Radio on Monday mornings and at other times during the week. Prior to joining the staff of MPR in 2004, Steve presented a variety of radio programs on WCAL in Northfield, Minn., where he created an immensely popular call-in program, and on WXXI in Rochester, New York. Outside radio, Steve also enjoys work as a freelance tenor and violist. Steve and his wife, Naomi, enjoy traveling, gardening and hosting dinner parties.


Steve Staruch

Host Steve Staruch speaks with cast members Amanda Batista and Won Whi Choi, as well as Principal Coach and Chorus Director Celeste Marie Johnson, in preparation for the Minnesota Opera’s opening night of Leoncavallo's 'Pagliacci,' this Saturday, May 9. Listen now!


Cory Weaver

Minnesota Opera presents Leoncavallo's 'Pagliacci' 

Saturday Cinema - May 9, 2026

On the latest episode of ‘Saturday Cinema,’ host Lynne Warfel celebrates Mother’s Day with music from movies that celebrate moms and mother figures, including ‘Steel Magnolias,’ ‘Dumbo,’ ‘Mrs. Doubtfire,’ ‘Hook’ and ‘Little Women.’ Listen now!


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