Illinois Public Media

Music

Paintings and vintage photographs of composers who wrote songs of love.

The Love Stories that Inspired Musical Masterpieces

 Whether burning from afar or passionately reciprocated, love has been a fruitful muse for many of the great composers. Come along as we celebrate Valentine’s Day with the love stories that inspired four famous compositions.
IPM Newsroom
New season of PBS Series: Sisi, Austrian Empress.
Afternoon at the Opera

Afternoon at the Opera: Idomeneo
On this episode of Afternoon at the Opera, the 1986 rebroadcast of Mozart's Idomeneo. Saturday at Noon on Illinois Classical.
Atomic Age Cocktail Party
Atomic Age logo with an illustration of two martini glasses with hearts in them.

Valentine’s Day Special (157)
Love is on the air this week on The Atomic Age Cocktail Party. It’s our special two-hour Valentine’s Day program filled with lots of music just perfect for your romantic…
Evening Concert

The Evening Concert on Illinois Classical
ILLINOIS CLASSICAL: The Evening Concert: FEBRUARY 8 – 9 –10 – 11 – 12 – 13, 2026 
The 217 Today Podcast

217 Today: Visa delays, rising costs, tightening restrictions and fear are keeping international artists from visiting the Midwest
 Under the Trump administration, rising visa costs and fears at ports of entry are keeping more international artists and musicians away from the Midwest.
The 21st Show
Sean Brown wearing a dark blue suit and necktie, sitting in front of an Electrovoice RE-20 microphone in the beige studios of Illinois Public Media

Democratic Senate candidate Sean Brown on immigration, universal healthcare, and money in politics
We continue our conversations with candidates in the primary elections for U.S. senator from Illinois. Today is our tenth interview, with attorney Sean Brown, who's running in…
The 21st Show
Aisha Harris smiles and looks to the right with a broad smile; she's wearing a gray coat and standing in an urban environemnt; the book cover for

Best of: Aisha Harris on the culture that shaped her
In 2023, NPR's Aisha Harris joined The 21st Show to talk about the culture that shaped her, the intersection of her identities as a Black woman and a critic, and more. Her…
Prairie Fire

Prairie Fire: Season 3 - Episode 4 - December 2025
We introduce you to Bloomington artist Herb Eaton, learn the important role the “Illinois Country” played in the American Revolution, and get a special holiday performance…
Mid-American Gardener

Cool plants, Winter Gardening, and Valentine Flower Care
Winter gardening tips, flower care secrets, and how to start seeds outdoors using simple containers.
State of Change

The state of the Illinois Prairie
State of Change 2025 looks at efforts to retain existing prairie in Illinois, as well as strategies to restore some areas to a more natural state.