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Soprano Amanda Batista (Nedda) performs ‘Stridono lassù’ from Leoncavallo’s ‘Pagliacci’ accompanied by Principal Coach & Chorus Director Celeste Marie Johnson on piano. 


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“Stridono lassù” performed by Amanda Batista and Celeste Marie Johnson

Tenor Won Whi Choi (Canio) performs ‘Un tal gioco, credimi’ from Leoncavallo’s ‘Pagliacci’ accompanied by Principal Coach & Chorus Director Celeste Marie Johnson on piano. 


“Un tal gioco, credimi” performed by Won Whi Choi and Celeste Marie Johnson

Aerin O’Malley hosts a round of Is It Classical? with her coworkers at Minnesota Public Radio. In this episode, contestants decide whether the overture to Rodgers & Hammerstein’s musical Cinderella is classical.


YouTube thumbnail with text reading "It It Classical? MPR Staff Edition"

Is It Classical? - MPR Staff Edition: Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “Cinderella”

Aerin O’Malley hosts a round of Is It Classical? with members of the Class Notes Teen Council. In this episode, contestants decide whether the overture to Rodgers & Hammerstein’s musical “Cinderella” is classical.


YouTube thumbnail with text reading "It It Classical? Class Notes Teen Council Edition"

Is It Classical? - Teen Council Edition: Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “Cinderella”

Aerin O’Malley hosts a round of Is It Classical? with her coworkers at Minnesota Public Radio. In this episode, contestants decide whether the Vitamin String Quartet’s arrangement of Ariana Grande’s “thank u, next” is classical.


Is It Classical? - MPR Staff Edition: “thank u, next” (String Quartet Version)

Aerin O’Malley hosts a round of Is It Classical? with members of the Class Notes Teen Council. In this episode, contestants decide whether the Vitamin String Quartet’s arrangement of Ariana Grande’s “thank u, next” is classical.


Is It Classical? - Teen Council Edition: “thank u, next” (String Quartet Version)

Interview: Bakken Ensemble

Tom Crann is heard on YourClassical MPR from 3 to 7 p.m. weekdays. Prior to rejoining the classical team at MPR, Tom was the host of All Things Considered for MPR News from 2005 to 2025, where he interviewed a wide range of public figures, including Minnesota's members of congress, politicians, experts, writers, and artists. He anchored Minnesota Public Radio's award-winning live coverage of the 35W bridge collapse. He has hosted other special coverage for MPR News, including live coverage of election nights since 2012.  He has been a host, producer, and interviewer for Minnesota Public Radio since 1995.   His work on MPR News has been recognized with an Eric Severeid award, a regional Edward R. Murrow award, and a National Headliner award. He has also hosted the international cultural broadcasts "Sounds Irish" and "The Last Night of the Proms," a co-production with the BBC. Tom began his career at MPR/APM as a classical host in 1995. In addition to his work at Minnesota Public Radio, Crann has spent more than 20 years hosting and producing classical music and cultural programs at public radio stations around the U.S, and for RTE/Lyric FM in Ireland, where he is still a contributor.


Tom Crann

On April 12, the Bakken Ensemble celebrated 30 years of concerts in the Twin Cities with a program featuring Arensky’s unique String Quartet No. 2 (scored for two cellos) and guest cellist Matt Haimovitz. Listen as Haimovitz and members of the ensemble converse with host Tom Crann about the event!


Tom Crann interviews Matt Haimovitz and members of the Bakken Ensemble

Bakken Ensemble: Interview with Matt Haimovitz

Two women pose with a violin and cello credit Tony Nelson

Bakken Ensemble celebrates 30 years of music with guest Matt Haimovitz 

Aerin O’Malley hosts a round of Is It Classical? with her coworkers at Minnesota Public Radio. In this episode, contestants decide whether the popular Christmas song “Carol of the Bells” is classical.


Is It Classical? - MPR Staff Edition: “Carol of the Bells”

Tenor Diego Torre (Edgar) and mezzo-soprano Kara Morgan (Tigrana) perform “Orgia, chimera dall’occhio vitreo/Edgar, sulla tua fronte” from Act II of Puccini’s “Edgar,” accompanied by Head of Music Mario Antonio Marra on piano. 



Woman singing in a studio with a pianist in the background

'Orgia, chimera dall’occhio vitreo/Edgar, sulla tua fronte' performed by Diego Torre and Kara Morgan

Soprano Karin Wolverton (Fidelia) performs “Addio, mio dolce amor!” from Act III of Puccini’s “Edgar,” accompanied by Head of Music Mario Antonio Marra on piano. 
