Interview: Minnesota Opera presents 'Cosi Fan Tutte'

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 Kylie Kreucher, Ángel Vargas and Lindsay Ohse, as well as director Doug Scholz-Carlson, in preparation for the Minnesota Opera’s opening night of Mozart’s ‘Così fan tutte,’ taking place this Saturday, Nov. 1. Listen now!


Minnesota Opera

Relationships are difficult! The Minnesota Opera prepares for Mozart’s 'Cosi fan tutte'

Saturday Cinema - Oct. 25, 2025

Ward Jacobson has enjoyed a radio career spanning over two decades as a morning show host and sportscaster, as well as producer/host of an interview program where he chatted with authors, musicians, politicians and newsmakers. He is also a past winner of the prestigious Marconi Award. Jacobson's love of classical music stems from a childhood influenced by his bass-baritone father and piano-teaching mother. While still a college student in Nebraska, he began singing with the Abendmusik Chorus and took part in concert tours to venues as varied as Englands Lincoln Cathedral, the Vatican, Salzburg Cathedral, Auschwitz and Moscow. When not singing, he works to develop his guitar-strumming repertoire.


Ward Jacobson

On the latest episode of Saturday Cinema, join guest host Ward Jacobson for a show dedicated to creepy classics: ‘The Bride of Frankenstein,’ ‘Dracula,’ ‘Ghostbusters,’ ‘The Mummy’ and more. Listen now! 


Hollywood Halloween with guest host Ward Jacobson

Concerts at the Library of Congress at 100

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Tom Huizenga

For a century, the tiny Coolidge Auditorium, at the Library of Congress, has been a wellspring of cultural integrity, innovative music and American ingenuity. (And free concerts.)


Shawn Miller/Library of Congress

One of music's best kept secrets celebrates 100 years, quietly

Interview: Shruthi Rajasekar

Indian classical music meets Minnesota choral music this Saturday, Oct. 25, at 2:30 p.m. at the premiere of composer Shruthi Rajasekar’s ‘Sarojini,’ performed by Nirmala Rajasekar and Thanjavur K. Murugaboopathi alongside Minneapolis-based VocalEssence. Listen as host Tom Crann speaks with Shruthi about the piece.


MPR/APM

Shruthi Rajasekar melds Indian and Western classical traditions in 'Sarojini'

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

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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

Guitarist Tosin Abasi uses the influences of punk, funk, jazz and classical to forge a voice that doesn’t fit into any single category. He’s one of the most innovative guitarists alive today. Find out more in the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast.


Grwynn

Tosin Abasi is a guitar trailblazer

Extra Eclectic - Oct. 22, 2025

On this episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ Steve Seel brings us a classical-jazz dialogue, including jazz harpist Brandee Younger’s ‘Essence of Ruby,’ Joel Puckett’s Trumpet Concerto and music by Thelonius Monk and Wynton Marsalis. Listen now!


Erin O'Brian

Classical meets jazz

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New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - Mahan Esfahani

New Classical Tracks - Mahan Esfahani

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,’ harpsichordist Mahan Esfahani brings the first book of J.S. Bach’s ‘The Well-Tempered Clavier’ to life on his latest recording. Listen now with host Julie Amacher!


Kaja Smith

Harpsichordist Mahan Esfahani honors Bach on latest recording

Saturday Cinema - Oct. 18, 2025

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

This week on ‘Saturday Cinema,’ join host Lynne Warfel to celebrate October birthdays in the world of film, including Jack Warner, Peter O’Toole, Maureen O’Hara, Gene Kelly, Ingrid Bergman and more. Listen now!


October birthdays

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Herbie Hancock helped rewrite post-bop language and reimagined the rhythm section as a conversational engine. But his musical imagination wouldn’t stop at jazz. He has continued composing for film and the concert hall alike. Find out more in the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast.


Kevin Winter | Getty Images

Herbie Hancock is a musical innovator

Extra Eclectic - Oct. 15, 2025

No, 2025 isn’t over, but that’s not stopping us from pausing to take stock of some of our favorite releases and discoveries of the year on the latest episode of ‘Extra Eclectic.’ Host Steve Seel shares music by Reena Esmail, Shirley Thompson and more. Listen now!


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