Jim Cotter

The film Love Story was a massive cultural phenomenon in the early 1970s. Adapted by Erich Segal from his novel of the same name, the romantic tragedy starred Ryan O'Neal and Ali MacGraw as two students from different social classes who meet at Harvard, fall in love, and wed. After which, personal tragedy strikes.

Following in the footsteps of legends such as Leopold Stokwoski, Eugene Ormandy, and Riccardo Muti, Yannick Nezet-Seguin is set to conduct his inaugural concerts as music director of The Philadelphia Orchestra. On Thursday, October 18th, the opening-night concert features the music of Ravel, Brahms, and Strauss with soloist Renee Fleming, followed by performances of the Verdi Requiem on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Opening night concert information - October 18.

Ahead of WRTI's broadcast of the Academy of Vocal Arts' 2012 Giargiari Bel Canto Competition on Sunday at 3 pm - with listeners having the opportunity to vote for their personal favorite at wrti.org.  Many Giargiari Competition participants have gone on to stellar careers, and in recent years three in particular have also been awarded  the prestigious Richard Tucker Foundation Award, including tenors James Valenti and Stephen Costello, and soprano Angela Meade.

In recent times, Philadelphians have been made well aware of the fiscal challenges of sustaining a symphony orchestra. Now, around the country, other cities are experiencing such problems first hand. Serious doubts hang over the immediate viability of orchestras in Atlanta, Minnesota, St Paul, Indianapolis, and San Antonio with others likely to soon follow suit. 

Yet in Camden, New Jersey, a city whose very municipal infrastructure is under threat, its orchestra - Symphony In C - continues to garner and grow support, audience, and reputation. 

The Opera Company of Philadelphia is furthering its commitment to the creation of new American works with the recruitment of star baritone Nathan Gunn to lead its American Repertoire Program. The project aims to produce an American work in each season for the next 10 years.  

Benjamin Franklin’s many gifts to Philadelphia and the nation include free libraries, fire companies lightning rods, bi-focals, and the University of Pennsylvania. The American Philosophical Society, founded in 1743, is perhaps one of his lesser-known gems.

Despite the large statue of Franklin above the main entrance, many people may unknowingly walk right past the centuries-old Society, which is discreetly housed in a neo-classical building in Old City, Philadelphia.

The film Love Story was a massive cultural phenomenon in the early 1970s. Adapted by Erich Segal from his novel of the same name, the romantic tragedy starred Ryan O'Neal and Ali MacGraw as two students from different social classes who meet at Harvard, fall in love, and wed. After which, personal tragedy strikes.

Arabella Steinbacher first came to public attention in 2004 when, at short notice, she substituted for an ailing Kyung Wha Chung to perform the Beethoven Violin Concerto with the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France under Sir Neville Marriner.

Steinbacher’s continued success since is due, in large part, to her diverse and deep repertoire, which includes more than 40 violin concertos extending from the classical period to the music of  twentieth-century composers such as Barber, Berg, Prokofiev, and Stravinsky. 

In no sense of the word is the Swiss-born conductor Charles Dutoit retiring. He has, however, completed his tenure as chief conductor of The Philadelphia Orchestra, making way for Yannick Nezet-Seguin, the ensemble’s new music director.

Named chief conductor after the departure of  Christoph Eschenbach in 2008, Maestro Dutoit has provided a leadership bridge between music directors, providing advice on guest conductors and repertory, auditioning new players, and leading the ensemble for weeks at home and on foreign tours.

Pulitzer Prize and multiple Grammy award-winning composer Jennifer Higdon has written a large body of work for a range of ensembles, including orchestras, chamber groups, choruses, and wind ensembles. Now, she’s  working on her first opera, commissioned by The Santa Fe Opera and The Opera Company of Philadelphia.