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".

Studs interviews John Eliot Gardiner about his career in baroque music and his background and interests. Studs announces that Gardiner is performing at Orchestra Hall in Chicago. Gardiner explains the instruments that his group uses and how they are different and capture the original sounds of pieces. He also describes the history and time period of baroque music. Gardiner explains various pieces that the choir performs such as Handel's "Israel in Egypt" and Henry Purcell's "King Arthur." The musical numbers are removed from this edited version of the original recording.

Richard Peaslee discusses his work as a composer in the film "Marat/Sade" directed by Peter Brook and based off Richard Weiss' 1964 play.

Studs interviews Barbara Cook about her work in musical theater from Broadway to opera. Cook speaks about the composers and writers she has worked with. She explains some of her songs such as “Ice Cream” and “Grass Harp” and describes her first Carnegie concert. Studs quotes Leonard Bernstein, who speaks to Cook’s talent. Cook describes how she went from Broadway to opera and shares how she chooses the songs that she performs. She discusses the art of her talent. The musical pieces are removed from this edited version of the original recording.

Cole Porter biographer Robert Kimball talks with Studs about his book "Cole" and his subject's life and work as they listen to classic performances of some of his most beloved songs. They marvel at how Porter perfectly captured the zeitgeist of the times in his lyrics, his lyrical influences, his unique method of outside-in composing lyrics and music simultaneously, Bobby Short's masterful interpretations, controversies over some of his works, and how well his material holds up.

Dudley Moore discusses his influences and process, and performs original works such as "Little Miss Britten".

Studs interviews Allen Stone, Steven Larson, and Judith Erickson about the opera, "Regina," playing at the Chicago Opera Theater. They describe the variety of music and dances in the opera. Stone, Larson, and Erickson name the cast and their roles and describe the characters. Each share how they came to be in theater. Stone explains how the company started. Larson describes the orchestra and the chorus. Erickson reads some of the lyrics of the aria, "The Best Thing of All," at the end of act one. Stone, Larson, and Erickson read various lines from the opera.

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."