Studs Terkel and Robert Altman discuss the opera "McTeague" based on Frank Norri's novel of the same name.

Studs Terkel interviews Rita Streich about her recital coming up. He also plays selections from her work for viewers to listen to. She also talks about music during World War II.

Renee Fleming discusses her musical upbringing, her repertoire, her relationship to performance, and more.

Placido Domingo discusses his career as a tenor singer and conductor, including his role in the film "Otello" directed by Franco Zeffirelli and based on the opera by Giuseppe Verdi.

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."

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."

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.

Discussing "The Mikado," by Gilbert & Sullivan with theater and opera director Peter Sellars.

Joachim Kaiser discusses critiquing German music and how the music scene in Germany has changed. Studs Terkel in Germany.

Discussing Paul Robeson with actor, teacher, and musician Avery Brooks.