NPR Classical Stories

Modest in his demeanor but remarkably enduring, the American-born, Swedish conductor continually fell in love with music, leading orchestras with no-nonsense insight and integrity well into his 90s.

When the Kennedy Center closed in September, it left an important American orchestra without a home. The players, and their charismatic conductor, have taken their show out onto an uncertain road.

A new documentary looks back on the Canadian sketch show Second City Television. If SNL was a smirking upperclassman in a private-school uniform, SCTV was a lovable dirtbag in a denim jacket and jeans.

The legacy of magician Harry Houdini still looms large in Detroit 100 years after his death there. Some mark the anniversary of Houdini's death by trying to make contact with his spirit.

Stewart was raised by an abusive father but became best known for playing kind, paternal leaders who united families of misfits.

NPR's Scott Detrow talks with Allison Janney about her return to Broadway in Other Desert Cities, and how it compares to her debut 30 years ago.

"There's an understandable pull in my industry to make things ... super safe, super familiar," Gilpin says. She wants to go the other way. Gilpin currently stars in the noir drama The Lowdown.

With music by Missy Mazzoli, George Saunders' award-winning Civil War novel comes to surreal life in a stage adaptation making its world premiere at The Metropolitan Opera.

The center's executive director has named an agent who has worked with ZZ Top and Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee as the head of programming for the arts institution.

Opera singers often leave their careers when their voices are at their best, because the workload isn't manageable anymore.

The deep-voiced Scottish mezzo-soprano just made her Royal Opera House debut. Now, with her debut solo album, The Deeps Have Music, she is on the doorstep of stardom.

Dance Theatre of Harlem is reviving its landmark 1982 production of Firebird under the helm of artistic director Robert Garland.