WETA Classical

06/10/2026

Next on America 250: A Classical Portrait, we explore the iconic and innovative American composer, Charles Ives. Ahead of his time in, born in Danbury CT in 1874, he is most known for juxtaposition of contrasting melodies at the same time, most notably the depiction of two marching bands playing at the same time in Three Places in New England.

Join us on WETA Virtuoso today at 2PM to explore the life and music of Ives.

Check out the link in comments to learn more.

06/08/2026

The power of music and spoken word come together for a bold reimagining of what classical music can be in 2026 tonight at 9 on Front Row Washington. Join us for a program with Anderson & Roe Piano Duo and Wordsmith. In this performance presented by Chamber Music Maryland, spoken word and music come together in a way that will leave you pondering life, music, and death.

See link in comments for more program information.

06/03/2026

"I have a special love for Vanessa because I think that it is one of the most successfully written in the opera repertoire of the 20th century. We have a spectacular lineup of soloists... a cast that you will wish to see in any opera house in the world, we will have here on the stage of the Kennedy Center.”

Gianandrea Noseda speaks about Barber's Vanessa in Concert with the National Symphony Orchestra Musicians featuring Nicole Heaston and J'Nai Bridges, Mezzo-Soprano, broadcasting tonight at 9 on NSO Showcase and streaming on-demand after the broadcast.

See link in comments to learn more.

06/03/2026

When you hear works like Rhapsody in Blue, Florence Price's symphonies, and even Dvořák's Symphony No. 9, there is that instantly recognizable sound of America. And that is the incorporation of the uniquely American voice like spirituals and jazz.

Today on America 250: A Classical Portrait, we explore how classical composers came to incorporate our homegrown music to innovate that unmistakable sound of America, going on to influence composers around the world for decades and centuries to come.

Join us at 2PM on WETA Virtuoso. Listen from our WETA Classical app, online at wetaclassical.org, or locally on 90.9 HD3.

Learn more from the link in comments.

06/02/2026

We kick off our summer opera presentations on Opera Matinee with two productions from Wolf Trap Opera!

Join us for Mozart's beloved The Marriage of Figaro this Saturday at 1PM. Next Saturday is Poulenc's dramatic and tragic Dialogues of the Carmelites. Both productions are from the Barns at Wolf Trap from 2025.

Join us for the laughs and the drama, and of course, the incredible music, from DMV's own Wolf Trap, where the arts come out to play.

📸Rich Kessler

06/01/2026

Married duo Lucille Chung and Alessio Bax shine in French music for piano on Front Row Washington tonight at 9 with music by Poulenc, Debussy, and Ravel. The pair met at a piano competition in 1997 and together they've performed all over the world, even 20,000 miles by train in Russia on tour.

Also on the program, a rich bouquet of music from Beethoven to Martinů with The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center.

Both performances are live recorded from Chamber Music at the Barns at Wolf Trap.

05/27/2026

Today at 2PM on America 250: A Classical Portrait, we explore visionary composers and institutions that were foundational in American music in the 19th century, from composers like John Knowles Paine and Amy Beach, to institutions like the New England Conservatory and the Handel and Haydn Society.

Tune in on WETA Virtuoso and check out the link in comments to learn more!

05/26/2026

Music can be just as much of a historical document as letters or legislation, and we see that directly in the latest episode of the Classical Breakdown podcast exploring Margaret Bonds' Montgomery Variations written in 1963, an American masterpiece and a piece of American history. John Banther and Evan Keely show you what to listen for, how Bonds adapts a well-known melody, the historical context, and more.

Listen from your favorite podcast app or from the link in comments.

05/25/2026

On this day, we remember and honor the sacrifices made across 250 years in service to our nation.

TONIGHT at 8pm: The National Memorial Day Concert airs live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. The 90-minute program honors America’s military men and women, and their families, for their courage and sacrifice across 250 years — and pays tribute to all who have given their lives in service to the nation.

Featuring musical salutes and powerful stories of American heroes who have defended the United States since 1776, the 37th annual concert includes performances by pop artist Andy Grammer and country music stars Mickey Guyton and Jamey Johnson, along with the National Symphony Orchestra led by renowned pops conductor Jack Everly.

Tune in to WETA PBS at 8pm, or stream the concert with WETA+ (link in comments).

05/22/2026

What do the music of Ives, Copland, and Mahler have in common? And what is the best advice for experiencing the music of Ives for the first time?

Conductor James Gaffigan explains all (including his favorite hangout spot in DC!), ahead of his program with National Symphony Orchestra Musicians next week. Listen from the link in comments!