The Baroque opera The Coronation of Poppea is a bit of a musical mystery. Attributed to Claudio Monteverdi, it's more of a pastiche from known and unknown composers. Millikin University will present the opera this weekend, and I'll talk with music director Dan Carberg on the Thursday edition of "Live and Local." And we'll meet organist Craig Cramer, who will play in Champaign Sunday night.
The University of Illinois Wind Symphony is the premier ensemble of the country's largest band program, and they'll give the opening concert of the school year on Thursday at the Krannert Center in Urbana. On the Wednesday edition of "Live and Local," I'll talk with Director of Bands Robert Rumbelow about the program, entitled "20th Century Masters.
Trumpeter, composer and band leader Miles Davis was one of the most innovative and influential figures in jazz. On Saturday, the Krannert Center in Urbana will present "The Miles Davis Experience: 1949-1959," featuring the Ambrose Akinmusire Quintet. I'll talk with Mr. Akinmusire on the Tuesday edition of "Live and Local," and we'll preview Thursday's concert by the Illinois State University Symphony Orchestra.
The multiple award-winning musical Ragtime will open at the Hoogland Center for the Arts in Springfield on Friday for three performances. Based on E. L. Doctorow's novel, it has a brilliant score that ranges from ragtime to klezmer to waltzes and parlor songs. On the Monday edition of "Live and Local," I'll talk with the show's director, Matthew Vala, himself a veteran of the local stage.
Singer-songwriter Violet Vonder Haar says you might find her rocking in a Pink Floyd cover band, playing in a quiet coffeehouse, or teaching kids to write folk songs about bugs. On Friday night, you'll find her at Memphis on Main in Champaign, and she'll join me live on the Friday edition of "Live and Local," with fellow singer-songwriter Jeff Arrigo.
Guitarist Tommy Emmanuel plays with great energy, ample virtuosity and genuine musical and personal warmth. He'll bring all those qualities to the Virginia Theater in Champaign Wednesday night-and to the Wednesday edition of "Live and Local." Touring with Tommy and joining him live in our studio will be singer-songwriters Pam Rose and Anthony Snape for what promises to be a truly memorable hour!
The Danville Symphony Orchestra opens its season on Saturday with a concert featuring three of Broadway's leading men. On the Tuesday edition of "Live and Local," I'll talk with Jeremy Swerling, the orchestra's conductor, about the program. And we'll meet two acclaimed singing sisters, Karin and Kirsten Paludan, who make an unusual homecoming debut in Springfield on Saturday.
The University of Illinois Symphony Orchestra is much more than a student orchestra. It's one of the finest performing ensembles in our region. They'll open their season next Sunday with a program of music by Strauss, Stravinsky and Brahms. We'll hear details on the Monday edition of "Live and Local," including a conversation with Prof. Allen Schwab, who will give the program's pre-concert lecture.
Versatile vocalist Kathy Harden often teams up with multi-faceted guitarist Andy Baylor, and together they're The Diva and The Dude. They'll sing a variety of "contemporary classics" at Clark Bar in Champaign tonight, and they'll play for us live on today's edition of the show.
Not every bluegrass band can boast principal players of major orchestras-probably none but the DePue Brothers Band. The four violinist brothers have played together for 25 years and formed the band in 2004. They'll play in Charleston Thursday night. Their drummer--who happens also be the principal timpanist of the Philadelphia Orchestra--joins us for today's show. And we'll hear about a lecture series called "Discover the Symphony Orchestra" at Illinois State University.
