At a young age, Peter Glossop knew that all he ever wanted to be was an opera singer. Glossop said with opera, there's the best of two worlds, both singing and acting. Verdi was a favorite, Glossop explained, as Verdi had written great roles for baritone singers. Sarah Caldwell was very good at playing music at a young age. She also loved the theatre. To her, it was a logical step to direct operas. Caldwell explained that her job as the director is to hold the audiences' attention and to make the piece real, to convey the playwright's message.

Jazz pianist Oscar Peterson sits down with Studs Terkel to discuss historical developments in jazz piano, his own personal development as a pianist, and his experience directing a youth jazz piano school. Includes Peterson playing short excerpts from "Chicago (that toddlin' town)," "Soon," Chopin's Nocturne in E flat Major to demonstrate musical concepts.

Oscar Ghiglia discusses studying under Andres Segovia and reviews different types of guitars and composers through history, including Weiss, Villa-Lobos, and Scarlatti. Music is played throughout: "Prelude, Fugue and Allegro in E-Flat Major, BWV 998 (Arr. for Guitar) : I. Prelude" composed by J.S. Bach, "Canarios (Air De Danse)","La Maja De Goya", "Fantasia in E-Minor" composed by S.L. Weiss, "Five Preludes, W. 419: No. 1 in E Minor (Andantino expressivo)" composed by Heitor Villa-Lobos, "Sonata In G, L.79" composed by Domenico Scarlatti, and "Tarantella, Op.

Through his interpreter, the well-known and handsome Bulgarian opera singer, Nicolai Ghiaurov, talks about his profession. At the age of five, he sang a song for his family and it was then when others around him realized his talent. Ghiaurov had first wanted to be an actor. "Don Giovanni," was one of Ghiaurov's favorite roles to play with his acting and interpretation of Mozart's music.

Ned Rorem discusses the differences between writing books and writing compositions, his book "The Paris Diary of Ned Rorem", and how he uses poetry in his compositions.

Studs interviews Ned Rorem about his work and book "An Absolute Gift." Rorem discusses his work and how his Quaker background has influenced his work. He reflects on poets and other composers. Rorem shares the people and events that have influenced him and the arts. The musical recordings are not included in this edited version of the original.

Studs Terkel interviews composer Ned Rorem. They discuss Rorem's childhood, music, poetry, languages, and religion.

Howard Levy learned to play the piano at the age of 8. After hearing a John Coltrane album at 17, Levy knew he wanted to play blues on the harmonica. Levy talks about and demonstrates the harmonica, the pan flute, the Marimba and the ocarina. There is also an excerpt of Laurel Masse singing.

Celebrated young tenor Giuseppe Sabbatini discusses his upcoming performance as Alfredo in "Traviata" at the Lyric Opera as well as beginnings, church music, debuts with little/no rehearsal and more.

Interviewing pianists Misha Dichter and Cipa Dichter.