News

Tune to WRTI on Saturday, January 19th, when the Metropolitan Opera will broadcast a historic performance of Puccini's La Boh?me, starring the late Luciano Pavarotti with the legendary Renata Scotto, conducted by Maestro James Levine. Originally broadcast on March 19, 1977, this performance was the inaugural Live from the Met telecast that turned Pavarotti into an American superstar.

Jill Pasternak speaks with vocalist Max Raabe, leader of the 12-piece Palast Orchester. The ensemble has achieved international success for their original arrangements of music from the Golden Age of film and dance, including Gershwin, Porter, and Berlin.

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Jill's guest this week, composer and conductor John Rutter, is one of the most respected figures in choral music. His works are among the most frequently-performed and loved in the choral repertoire. Mr. Rutter speaks about his career and his latest release with the Cambridge Singers, recorded in the historic Lady Chapel of Ely Cathedral in Cambridge, England.

Legendary jazz and R&B producer Joel Dorn passed away on December 17, 2007.

My friend, Joel Dorn, of some 37 years passed away today [December 17, 2007]. We bonded a friendship initially by phone, and corresponded that way for almost 40 years before finally meeting face-to-face. But all the while he'd send me LP's and CD's he either singularly produced or helped produce.

Jim Cotter finds out what happens when a group of Temple University fine arts students are let loose on a derelict suburban home.

Temple University Tyler Fine Arts Project

Resources:

• Temple University Tyler School of Art

Jill Pasternak speaks with two-time Grammy Award-winning pianist Peter Nero. Called by the Washington Post "the epitome of the Pops Conductor/Performer," Nero is the conductor and music director of Peter Nero and the Philly Pops, an ensemble he founded nearly thirty years ago.

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Susan Lewis looks ahead to The Curtis Institute of Music's study of Beethoven's String Quartet, Op. 95, the "Quartetto Serioso."

Curtis Institute of Music, Beethoven String Quartet, Op. 95

Resources:

• The Curtis Institute of Music

David Patrick Stearns profiles conductor Antonio Pappano. The music director of Covent Garden is a possible candidate for the leadership of the Philadelphia Orchestra.

Antonio Pappano, conductor

Resources:

• More about Antonio Pappano

In our continuing series on what it takes to bring theater to life, Jason Peifer examines the role of the director.

Philadelphia Theatre Directors

WRTI has lined up the perfect mix of classical music and jazz to set the holiday mood and add cheer to your season. Find out when to hear cherished favorites such as The Nutcracker and Messiah, as well as A Classical Kids Christmas, WRTI's 2007 Top 75 Jazz Countdown, our Jazz New Year's Eve, the Vienna Philharmonic's annual New Year's concert, and more...

Mark your calendar?here are some of WRTI's holiday highlights.