Voice of the Arts

Early music rock band, Ruckus, makes their Pittsburgh debut with bass-baritone, Davóne Tines! Founder and Artistic Director Clay Zeller-Townson, spoke with Jim Cunningham about the program, which marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. "What is Your Hand in This?" brings together George Frederick Handel with Stephen Foster's "Beautiful Dreamer," "Chester" by...

The City of Pittsburgh celebrates Black History Month by honoring businessman John B. Vashon and the legacy of the Vashon Family. Jim Cunningham speaks with Paul N.D. Thornell, great-great-great-grandson of John B. Vashon, about his family and the reception. Paul provides background on his family history, detailing the work that John B. Vashon did for the Pittsburgh community, including abolitioni...

Aria412 presents I Hear America Singing, a film by Daren Hagen! Two of the stars, Robert Frankenberry and Aria412 co-founder Desiree Soteres, spoke with Jim Cunningham about the screening. Robert and Desiree star alongside baritone Christopher Scott in this third installment of opera films by Daren Hagen. Robert calls it a blend of "independent film and opera music theater performance," rather tha...

The next artist in the Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall's Studio Jazz Series is vocalist Chantal Joseph! Chantal and Marlee Gallagher, Executive Director of the Library & Music Hall, spoke with WQED's Melissa Black about the show. Marlee provides background on the studio series and teases their upcoming Mardi Gras celebration with Phat Man Dee. Chantal talks about the program, which will...

The second show in New Hazlett Theater's Community Supported Art series is Agnus Teaches Acting . Co-creators Treasure Treasure and Lucas Fedele chat with Emily Brunner about the show. Treasure and Lucas talk about writing Agnus with Zanny Laird, drawing from each of their own experiences in the theater world. The play follows Agnus Stephenson, an overbearing and unapologetic acting teacher. The t...

The Greensburg Civic Theatre presents Godspell ! WQED-FM volunteer Steve Kinsell went on-site to chat with Music Director Eric Barchiesi about the show. This widely acclaimed musical tells the story of the Gospel according to St. Matthew, using an eclectic blend of songs to recount Jesus's life. Eric talks about the appeal of variety in the music and the privilege of working with this cast and cre...

CMU Opera's production of Mozart's La Clemenza di Tito runs this weekend at the Philip Chosky Theater. Maestro Robert Frankenberry stopped by the studio to talk with Anna Singer about the opera. Rob tells the story of the opera's commission and Mozart's writing process, including the influence of famous poet Caterino Mazzolà on the libretto. Anna and Robert were also joined by four singers, who pe...

DEJA Magazine's Art Director, Chloe Paris Simpson, stopped by the studio to chat with WQED producer Nick Zaller about print media, the Pittsburgh arts scene, and her new documentary film, Take Up Space . Chloe talks about the importance of physical media, working with Mark Bluemle, the DEJA's Editor in Chief, and fostering a live music scene in Pittsburgh's Oakland neighborhood. She relates the po...

Pittsburgh Opera presents Benjamin Britten's "Curlew River" January 24th through February 1st at Calvary Episcopal Church in Shadyside. WQED-FM's Anna Singer spoke with Logan Wagner, who sings the role of the Madwoman. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted source for arts and culture in our region. Whether you're passionate about classical music, film, theater, ope...

Pittsburgh Opera presents Benjamin Britten's "Curlew River" January 24th through February 1st at Calvary Episcopal Church in Shadyside. WQED-FM's Anna Singer spoke with Erik Nordstrom, who sings the role of the Ferryman. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted source for arts and culture in our region. Whether you're passionate about classical music, film, theater, o...

Pittsburgh Opera presents Benjamin Britten's "Curlew River" January 24th through February 1st at Calvary Episcopal Church in Shadyside. WQED-FM's Anna Singer spoke with Stage Director Dana Kinney, who said it was a challenge to figure out how to present the opera. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted source for arts and culture in our region. Whether you're passio...

Pittsburgh Opera presents Benjamin Britten's "Curlew River" January 24th through February 1st at Calvary Episcopal Church in Shadyside. WQED-FM's Anna Singer spoke with Pittsburgh Opera Music Director Antony Walker about the piece, saying he's not a conductor in the traditional sense. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted source for arts and culture in our region....

In 2025, Computer Reach celebrated its 25th anniversary! Executive Director Dave Sevick speaks with Jim Cunningham about helping bridge the "digital divide" and improving digital literacy. Dave talks about his work as an Apple consultant and using those skills to help his local school district, which inspired him to start Computer Reach. Computer Reach makes technology available to people most in...

Professor Greg Jackson, creator of the podcast History That Doesn't Suck! , joins the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra for Unlikely Union: A Storytelling Symphony of America, a live experience combining history and music. Greg and Westmoreland Symphony Executive Director Michael Rozell joined Jim Cunningham live on the QED Morning Show to talk about it. Greg discusses the content of the program, co...

Chatham Baroque's upcoming concert showcases the musical journey and influence of Queen Christina of Sweden! Managing and Artistic Director Scott Pauley and soprano Pascale Beaudin joined Anna Singer live on QED's afternoon show to talk about the program. Pascale and Scott explain how they discovered Christina and detail her arts contributions, from her reign of Sweden to her abdication, and her c...

Carnegie Mellon University Opera present La Clemenza di Tito , one of the last operas written by Mozart! CMU graduate student, baritone Holden Seward, joined Jim Cunningham back in November 2025 to talk about the opera. La Clemenza di Tito follows Roman emperor Tito Vespasian, with betrayal, jealousy, and political complexities. Holden will play the role of Publio, leader of the Praetorian guard a...

Pittsburgh Opera announced on Tuesday, January 13th, the hiring of William Powers as its new General Director, effective July 1st, 2026. Bill joined both Jim Cunningham and Anna Singer on QED's Morning and Afternoon shows to talk about this exciting change. Bill has been the Executive Director of the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra since 2021, and prior to that he spent 14 years with Pittsburg...

The 19th Annual  Let Freedom Sing Concert celebrates the social justice legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr through vocal & instrumental music and spoken word. Director Dr. Herbert Jones joined Anna Singer live to talk about the concert. Featured on this year's program are The Heritage Gospel Chorale of Pittsburgh, the Rodman Street Baptist Church Choir, MLK Festival Choir, and acclaimed operatic...

Cellist Gautier Capuçon has a new CD: Gaïa ! He spoke with Jim Cunningham about this record. All pieces included on the album were inspired by the Earth, with compositions from Max Richter, Xavier Foley, Joe Hisaishi, and many others. Gautier talks about drawing his own inspiration from our planet's beauty and climate situation. Gaïa was recorded in the mountains of Bavaria, Germany, which Gautier...

Dean of Duquesne University's Mary Pappert School of Music, David Allen Wehr, joined Jim Cunningham live on the QED Morning Show to talk about the second concert in his Music On the Bluff Series, The Dean's List Concert II: Violin/Horn. David talks about his long-time correspondence with the Pittsburgh Symphony's Concertmaster, David McCarroll, and crafting this concert's program together. Include...

Prime Stage Theatre presents Freedom House: Giving Life a Second Chance, which tells the story of the nation's first EMS system, started in Pittsburgh's Hill District neighborhood. Playwright L.E. McCullough joins Melissa Black to talk about the show. L.E. explains the history of Freedom House Ambulance Service and the community members who came together to build its foundation. He also talks abou...

Third Presbyterian Church kicks off their Music at Third 2026 Spring Concert Series with "Under the Same Sky," a program interweaving Yiddish Tangos and fragments from the writings of Etty Hillesum. Lenny Young and Raquel Winnica Young joined Jim Cunningham live on the QED Morning Show to talk about the concert. Etty Hillesum was a Dutch Jewish writer known for her diaries and letters written whil...

The second concert in Tuesday Musical Club's recital series, Folk Songs with a Classical Twist, is coming up on January 13th. Organizer Catherine Crotty, horn Barbara Folb, and trombone Justin Miller joined Jim Cunningham for a live performance and chat about the concert. Catherine talks about the program, featuring Six Studies in English Folksong by Vaughan Williams; Four Folk Songs for Soprano,...

Longtime friend of Classical QED Christopher O'Riley just released a new album of piano arrangements titled LOTUSLAND. He joined Jim Cunningham on Zoom for a deep dive into the record. Christopher explains the title of the album, which comes from the historic estate of Madame Ganna Walska in Montecito, California, which is now a botanical garden. The artwork for this album compiles photographs tak...

The holidays are in full swing at the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh! Jim Cunningham speaks with Senior Director of Marketing and Communications Stefanie Cedro Mohr and Carnegie Museum of Art Director of Education and Public Programs Dana Bishop-Root live on the QED Morning Show about how the Art and History Museums are spending the season. Dana talks about Carnegie Trees, five firs located in the...