Clef Notes

Rather than charting the life and accomplishments of famed composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein, Bradley Cooper's new film, Maestro, uses Bernstein's biography as a backdrop against which the drama of the unique love story between Bernstein and his wife, Felicia Montealegre, plays out. While some ardent classical music fans may be disappointed at the seemingly secondary role Bernstein’s music plays in the film, the decision to center Felicia sheds new light on the complicated composer. Read on for a musician's perspective on the film, now playing in select theaters and streaming on Netflix from December 20.

Chicago Opera Theater is celebrating its 50th anniversary this season. The company has grown from a grass-roots organization into a national leader in promoting opera as a vibrant, living art form, with high-quality productions of new and lesser-known operas featuring up-and-coming artists and local talent. We recently saw this work in action with the Chicago premiere of Dmitri Shostakovich's absurdist opera The Nose. Read on for a review and why you should keep this company in mind when planning your next musical excursion to the city. We also take a look at the company's next production, Huang Ruo’s Book of Mountains and Seas, coming January 26–28. 

One of the University of Illinois’ most beloved holiday traditions returns next week. December 7–13, students at Snyder Hall will be standing by to inject the phone lines with some festive cheer during the annual Dial-A-Carol event, sponsored by University Housing and Student Affairs. All you have to do is call (217) 332-1882, and a caroler will sing you a holiday song of your choice for free. Volunteers will be manning the phones 24 hours a day, so you can call whenever the mood strikes. Read on for an interview with the organizers of Dial-A-Carol to get a behind-the-scenes look at this fun annual tradition.

There is no figure in classical music quite so extremely revered and reviled as Maria Callas. The number of tributes that have sprung up across the globe in honor of the legendary soprano’s centenary this December demonstrate the lasting hold of the voice, stage presence, and life of Callas. Read on to learn more about her remarkable life and career and to hear recordings of some of her most iconic performances.

Central Illinois has a longstanding reputation as a hub for choral excellence thanks to the influx of talent from the University of Illinois School of Music. Area churches are often the beneficiaries of this conducting talent as graduate students take up music director positions during their studies. We met with one such student to learn about an exciting musical project he is leading this holiday season. A native of Waxhaw, NC, conductor Nicholas Pierle directs the music ministry at Grace Lutheran Church and is currently a first-year DMA Choral Music student at the University of Illinois. Pierle is directing the ELCA Choirs in their inaugural “Advent Cantata” performance this December. Read our interview to hear how this community-wide event came to be and to learn more about the central work on the program, Benjamin Britten's Rejoice in the Lamb.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is shaping up to be the next great technological frontier, prompting excitement and trepidation about its applications in all fields, from academia to medicine to the military. Music is no exception. In this blog, we take a look at ways in which AI has been used in classical music so far and what this means for the future of music composition and performance. 

Urbana High School choir students had the chance of a lifetime—to sing backup vocals at a rock concert at the State Farm Center. We chatted with their director, Becky Park, to hear what it was like to perform with the iconic rock band Foreigner on October 22. We also learn about the choir's fundraising efforts for their upcoming trip to Disney World, where they will give a performance and have some well-deserved fun.

On November 16, the University of Illinois Symphony Orchestra will be performing French composer Louise Farrenc’s (1804–1875) Symphony No. 1 in C minor, opus 32. Before you attend the concert, read up on this trailblazing composer, teacher, and scholar whose once-forgotten works are justifiably being revived.

John Frayne Classical Music Graduate Student Fellow Julia Escobar fills us in on her upcoming graduate recital. Escobar will perform the works of Béla Bartók, Amanda Harberg, Lowell Liebermann, and Bob Thiele and George David Weiss with pianist Ieng Ieng Lam at Smith Memorial Hall on Saturday, November 11 at 10:30 a.m. Read on to learn more her repertoire selections and the personal significance behind them.

We are happy to report that long-standing Champaign-Urbana choral ensemble Amasong is back in full force! After a hiatus and diminished numbers during the height of the pandemic, Amasong, the area’s premier lesbian/feminist chorus, will be giving their fall concert on November 4 and 5 at McKinley Presbyterian Church. We spoke with director Heidi Weatherford about the group’s comeback and what audiences can expect at their fall concert.