Andrew talks with conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen, who is in town to conduct the Chicago Symphony Orchestra with Yo-Yo Ma 2/28 – 3/2 at Orchestra Hall.             Esa-Pekka Salonen © 2012 Sonja Werner

Andrew recommends that you leave your pencils and scorecards at home for Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg

Andreas Mitisek Andrew talks with Andreas Mitisek, the new general director of Chicago Opera Theater.  COT opens its 2013 season, the first planned by Mitisek, this Saturday with “The Fall of the House of Usher” by Philip Glass,

Andrew features eighth blackbird’s recent Cedille Records recording “meanwhile” which yesterday won both Grammy Awards for which it was nominated — Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance and Best Contemporary Composition fo

Andrew talks with veteran actor, director, playwright, and teacher Austin Pendleton.  His new staging of Harold Pinter’s “The Birthday Party” opened this weekend at the Steppenwolf Upstairs Theatre for a three-month run.

Andrew recommends some goings-on south of Madison Street.

Emmanuel Villaume               Andrew is joined by French conductor Emmanuel Villaume in a new program discussing a conductor’s life today.  Mr. Villaume is currently leading the first of two runs of Puccini&#821

Andrew responds to listener response to a previous Critic’s Choice segment, “The Met’s Robots.”

Andrew is joined by Lyric Opera of Chicago guest conductor Emmanuel Villaume discussing Puccini, and preparing/presenting “La Boheme.”  Villaume leads two month-long runs of the opera at Lyric beginning January 21.  

Andrew recommends a new exhibit at University of Chicago’s Smart Museum.