Here's what listeners can look forward to in June on Classical 101.
Following an extended season of archived performances, the Toll Brothers Metropolitan Opera Radio Broadcast Season wraps up on June 5 with Benjamin Britten’s powerful and harrowing Billy Budd, based on a novella by Herman Melville. The 1997 performance features Dwayne Croft in the title role with Philip Langridge as Captain Vere, James Morris as Claggart and Paul Plishka as Dansker. Hear it Saturday, June 5 at 1 p.m.
Although President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, it was a full two and a half years before word reached enslaved African Americans in Galveston on June 19, 1865. Juneteenth—sometimes known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day—has been celebrated for 155 years, first in Texas and then spreading across the US as people moved north. This Juneteenth, listen to Lift Every Voice, a collection of powerful songs, stories, and interviews with some of today's most acclaimed Black artists and scholars. Hosted by Julie Amacher and Tesfa Wondemagegnehu, this program was curated to create awareness around the African American musical past, and to inspire the hopefulness of our musical future together as every voice is heard and celebrated. Be listening Saturday, June 19 at noon.
As summer sets in, The American Sound this month is full of captivating music. Enjoy Indian-American composer Reena Esmail’s evocative When the Guitar for choir and 12 guitars. Michael Torke’s energizing tone poem An American Abroad, and Eric Whitacre’s luminous choral work Water Night. The month also includes A Jazz Symphony by the one-time bad boy of classical music, George Antheil, the shimmering Oboe Concerto by Pulitzer Prize winner Jennifer Higdon. Join host Jennifer Hambrick for The American Sound at 6 p.m. Saturdays and 7 p.m. Tuesdays.
From the lush romanticism of Samuel Barber and Aaron Copland to the rhythmic energy of Steve Reich and Michael Torke, it’s American Composers this month on Symphony Showcase. Join host Kent Teeters Thursday evenings at 7 and Sundays at 6.
Sundays at 1 are a time to celebrate the talent of local music makers. This month, Music in Mid-Ohio features performances by pianist Ryan Behan, the OSU Symphony, the New Albany Symphony, Ohio Capital Winds, Otterbein University Concert Choir, the Con Fuoco Trio, organist Richard Fitzgerald, and the CSO with conductor Rossen Milanov. And that’s not even a complete list!
Front Row Center always features the best of opera and more, but on June 11 host Christopher Purdy has performances by a couple of beloved mezzos, Marilyn Horne and Janet Baker, and Italian songs sung by tenor Ramon Vargas. And June 18 is full of favorite sopranos, including Anna Moffo, Beverly Sills, Renata Tebaldi and Elizabeth Schwarzkopf. Don’t miss the fun. Tune in Friday nights from 7 to 9 p.m.
