News

Join us throughout the day on Monday, March 21st as we highlight the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. Considered to be the king of Baroque music, and perhaps of all Western music, Bach is synonymous with the art of fugue, magnificent counterpoint, oratorios, passions, masses, and cantatas, and legendary virtuosity on the organ and harpsichord.

By Windsor Johnston

Kenya Update: Life After the December 2007 Election

Philadelphia, PA – What started out as an attempt by WRTI News Director Windsor Johnston to shed light on the lives of Kenyan villagers, quickly changed on December 29, 2007. That was the day when results of the presidential election were announced by the Electoral Commission of Kenya. Many believe the election was rigged.

The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts has one of the world's finest collections of American Art. The exhibition Spot Check: Academy Contemporary highlights some of PAFA's most notable recent acquisitions.

Jason Peifer takes a look at the legacy of playwright August Wilson, who's Pulitzer Prize winning show, The Piano Lesson comes to the Arden Theatre in Philadelphia.

Susan Lewis looks at Pennsylvania Ballet's latest production which is based on the music of Handel's Messiah.

This week Jill Pasternak previews the "Broadway at the Academy" production of My Fair Lady with singer Marni Nixon and Mervon Mehta, Vice President of Programming and Education at the Kimmel Center. The London production features Nixon in the role of Henry Higgins' mother. She is best known as the singing voice for Audrey Hepburn in the film version of My Fair Lady, as well as for Natalie Wood in West Side Story. Also, Mehta gives Jill a run-down of the coming "Broadway at the Academy" 2008-009 season.

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Pink Martini

A conversation with Robert Spano--the Music Director of the Atlanta Symphony.

Jason Peifer visits "Baseball As America" at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. The 5,000-square-foot exhibition examines the relationship between baseball and American culture.

Susan Lewis explores the this year's jazz-themed Philadelphia Flower Show.

David Patrick Sterns profiles the American composer Elliott Carter who celebrates his 100th birthday this year.

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WRTI's classical and jazz CD collection will soon be transferred to a central, searchable repository of digital music thanks to the Argus Fund, a Bucks County-based family foundation committed to music education as well as local and global humanitarian issues.

By Windsor Johnston

Philadelphia, PA – WRTI's Windsor Johnston spent two weeks volunteering at the Mama na Dada Center, located along the shores of Lake Victoria in Kunya, Kenya. Mama na Dada, meaning "mothers and sisters" strives to empower women and young girls by providing them with the skills they need to be financially successful. Programs range from organic gardening to textile production.

Jim Cotter speaks with Christopher O'Riley. The broadcaster and pianist is in recital at the Kimmel Center on Feb 29th.

Susan Lewis explores the Rosenbach Museum and Library.

Jason Peifer has a behind the scenes look at the role of the stage manager. We'll hear from stage managers of the Arden Theatre, the Wilma Theater, and the Walnut Street Theater.

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By Windsor Johnston

Volunteering at the Freda Medical Center in Kitale, Kenya