Studs engages the former Chicago Symphony Orchestra conductor, Sir Georg Solti, in a wide-ranging conversation about his life and career. From his early studies in Budapest with Béla Bartók, his string of good-luck opportunities before, during, and after World War II, meeting Toscanini in Lucerne, and starting on top conducting in Frankfurt, London, and finally Chicago. He discusses his many German and European musical influences and contemporaries, and stresses the importance of education, arts funding, and hard work.

Renowned soprano, Madame Rosa Raisa discusses her career, early training, Chicago debuts, travels, teaching, and hobbies post opera.

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 

Madam Mason discusses her childhood as it pertains to her career. She shares her training and study in Paris. Mason recalls the many composers and conductors she has worked with and the various opera companies she worked for. The musical numbers are removed from this edited version of the original recording.

Studs replays his interview with Edith Mason 21 years ago. Madam Mason discusses her childhood as it pertains to her career. She shares her training and study in Paris. Mason recalls the many composers and conductors she has worked with and the various opera companies she worked for. The musical numbers are removed from this edited version of the original recording.

Dr. Carlo Levi talks about the differences in Italian and American literature in the first part. In the second part, children Julio and Phillipo sing Italian nursery rhymes. In the last part, Maria Caniglia and husband Pino Donati discuss opera; part 2.

Antonia Brico discusses her life as a conductor, her education as a pianist, and her studies to become a conductor. Studs plays an excerpt of the 1974 documentary on Antonia Brico entitled “Antonia: A Portrait of the Woman.”*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations