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John Birge has been hosting, producing and performing classical music for more than 25 years. Since 1997, he has been hosting on Minnesota Public Radio's Classical Music Service. He played French horn for the Cincinnati Symphony and Pops Orchestra and performed with them on their centennial tour of Europe in 1995. He was trained at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Eastman School of Music and Interlochen Arts Academy.


John Birge

Looking for something fun to do this weekend in the Twin Cities or elsewhere in the region? Classical MPR host John Birge offers his picks in classical music, theater and more.


Minnesota Opera

Chris Lee

Weekend picks in classical music, opera and more in the Twin Cities and beyond

Sabine Hogrefe as Elektra in MN Opera’s new staging of 'Elektra.'

Cory Weaver/Minnesota Opera

Weekend picks in classical music, theater and more in the Twin Cities and beyond

Join host Andrea Blain for Classical MPR's live broadcast of Minnesota Opera's production of Richard Strauss' 'Elektra' at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10.


Listen to Classical MPR's live broadcast of Minnesota Opera's 'Elektra'

U.S. Air Force Concert Band: 'The Star-Spangled Banner'

Bill Ward

We hear it at every sporting event, but who is behind the National Anthem? For the St. Paul Saints, trumpeter Johnny Holliday is continually on call. Learn more about what it takes to play 'The Star-Spangled Banner' at a game.


Johnny Holiday performs national anthem at Saints game

Minnesota Brass playing National Anthem at 2012 Twins Home Opener.mov

Viking's National Anthem

Rob Thompson

Take me out for the anthem: How Minnesota teams stage 'The Star-Spangled Banner'

Minnesota Opera's 'La Traviata' - studio chat

Minnesota Opera is wrapping up its season with a production of Verdi's 'La Traviata.' Listen as stage director Louisa Muller and sopranos Nicole Cabell and Cecilia Violetta Lopez discuss this popular opera.


Minnesota Opera's 'La Traviata'

Dan Norman

Minnesota Opera ends season with Verdi's 'La Traviata'

Terry Blain

What do you get when you gather 40 trombones at once? The Minneapolis Trombone Choir. The group will give its annual concert this weekend before participating in Schmitt Music's Twin Cities Trombone Day on April 6.


Courtesy of the artists

Minneapolis Trombone Choir gears up for annual concert and Twin Cities Trombone Day

Minnesota Opera's 'The Fix' in studio

Minnesota Opera's world premiere of 'The Fix' captures the 1919 Chicago 'Black Sox' scandal through Joel Puckett's score and Eric Simonson's libretto. They see more than a little similarity between baseball and an opera production.


(c) Cory Weaver

'The Fix' is in for Minnesota Opera's new baseball production of 1919 scandal

Emily Green

Join Classical MPR at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 24, for our special broadcast of Minnesota Opera's production of 'Don Pasquale.'


Minnesota Opera performing 'Don Pasquale'

Listen to Minnesota Opera's 'Don Pasquale' tonight on Classical MPR

Minnesota Opera: 'Silent Night' performance chat

Eric Simonson has directed many productions for Minnesota Opera, but 'Silent Night' stands out. Now, the Pulitzer Prize-winning opera set during World War I is back for a revival that runs Nov. 10-18, and he says this version is better than ever. Check out our gallery of photos and audio from the stars.


Minnesota Opera's Silent Night

'Silent Night' returns to home of its world premiere for Minnesota Opera revival

Anastasia Tsioulcas

Two female violinists, including one who now substitutes with Minnesota Opera, allege that the Cleveland Orchestra's concertmaster, violinist William Preucil, acted inappropriately toward them during lessons. He is currently suspended from his job with the orchestra due to a previous allegation.
