Bradley Parker Sparrow discusses his musical influences and growing up as a self taught jazz musician and composer. He also discusses the rigidity of the classical music world and how he likes to improvise with that music. His songs from the album "Latin Black" are played: "Latin Black Funk", "Latin Black Agagio", "Bur-wiser", and "Looking for Duke". "Reflections in D" by Duke Ellington and "Cleopatra's Dream" by Bud Powell are also played. Songs have been removed on this file for copyright reasons.

Birgit Nilsson talks about her career and her roles with musical interludes.

Studs Terkel interviews Birgit Nilsson about her role Leonore in Fidelio at the Lyric Opera. This is an inverview done in two parts.

Studs Terkel interviews Birgit Nilsson during her time playing Leonore in Fidelio.

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".

Barbara Hendricks discusses her career, music education, and opera. Includes a clip of Jennie Tourel's voice.

Interviewing soprano Barbara Daniels.

German director August Everding discusses his career from theater to opera and shares themes from his current opera productions.

Opera singers Astrid Varnay and Felicia Weathers discuss the opera “Salome” and the complexity of its lead role with Studs Terkel. Recordings of Varnay singing a piece from the Flying Dutchman and Weathers singing a piece by Strauss are played. Paul Vodicka delivers a few messages toward the conclusion.

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 

Composer and Pulitzer Prize winner for music Anthony Davis discusses his latest work focusing on the topic of the life and assassination of Malcolm X.

Anna Moffo discusses her career as an opera singer, opera composers, and opera music.