Marilyn Horne and Henry Lewis discuss their careers, opera music, and their operatic roles. They also discuss cross-gender roles in opera and Marilyn Horne's role as Romeo in the opera "Capuleti e i Montecchi" by Vincenzo Bellini. Includes clips of Marilyn Horne singing an opera song at the beginning, an opera song by Gioachino Rossini, and a song from Charles Gounod's opera "Sapho."*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

Leonard Bernstein discusses his career as a composer along with his thoughts on American culture, musical theater, Black music, classical music, and education; music is played throughout the program including songs from Marc Blitzstein's play "The Cradle Will Rock."

The American folksinger and archivist joins Studs in the studio to share stories and songs discovered in his youth and through his years of research.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

The music professor and well-traveled concertmaster of several orchestras joins Studs to discuss Bach, William Jennings Bryan, and the Chautauqua education and social movement.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

A wide-ranging conversation with the Russian composer, pianist, and music professor - about his time in Chicago and his upcoming departure for New York.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

Donald Luce had been living & helping the people of South Vietnam through the International Voluntary Service. Luce believed it was important to come back to the states to talk about the problems in Vietnam. Luce said the Vietnamese government could not provide its people waste disposal, electricity and running water. Luce went to Congress to voice his concerns. It was at the State Department who didn't seem to care all to much.

*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

Cathy Berberian reflects on the evolution of her avant-garde singing style and her work with various contemporary music composers. Includes an interview with John Cage. Content Warning: This conversation has the presence of outdated, biased, offensive language. Rather than remove this content, we present it in the context of twentieth-century social history to acknowledge and learn from its impact and to inspire awareness and discussion.

Bill Russo talks about the commedia dell'arte production being staged at the Center for New Music at Columbia College Chicago. The production includes two pieces, "Pedrolino's Revenge" and "Isabella's Fortune".

Russian composer Alexander Tcherepnin discusses his travels to China & Japan and their influence on his music, composing for non-traditional instruments, electronic music, teaching young composers, and his "Concerto No. 2".