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Opera superstar Renee Fleming will be on the air for the Saturday Metropolitan Opera broadcasts with the Hours by Kevin Puts on May 18 at 1pm but less two days before her return in the role at the Met, she spoke with Jim Cunningham about her new book "Music and Mind" published by Viking on April 9th, 2024. She has donated a copy of the book with a cd of the Hours and tickets to The Hours at the Met to the silent auction and Franck Conrad Birthday Party at the Train Station in Wilkinsburg just a few blocks from where broadcasting began on Penn Avenue in Wilkinsburg on May 4th from 1 till 4pm.

With multiple contributions from experts in the field of music and wellness and over 540 pages, she spoke of her long exploration of the growing field. Renee Fleming also talked about her visit to Chautauqua on July 27th, 2024 and her work in putting together a week at Chautauqua on the Transformative Power of Music which includes a Monday morning lecture she will give in the Amphitheater. Renee Fleming speaks about her work with broadcasting on PBS, her family ties in Western Pennsylvania dating back to her birthplace in Indiana, PA and other family in Coraopolis, her husband from Pittsburgh and her brother-in-law, Harry Jessell, who was the Editor of Broadcasting Magazine and now serves on the board of the Museum of Broadcasting in Pittsburgh.

Pianist and musicologist Robert Levin with the Academy of Ancient Music discusses with Jim Cunningham the 30 year project to record the complete Mozart Piano Concertos with original instruments and multiple pianos. Robert Levin explains which new additions to the set involved his research and completions. Robert explains how improvisations were added that resemble the technique of jazz players like Art Tatum, He also remembers his colleague Christopher Hogwood, describes the extra detail for notes and art with the packaging of each hard bound booklet, and suggests why classical radio has spotlight hours of Mozart. He remembers his own experience as a dj with a good reason why listeners should help out during the fundraising drives.

Reverend Dr. Shelia Johnson-Hunt sat down with WQED-FM's Anna Singer to talk about the City Wide Revival on May 7th and 8th at Petra International Ministries. This event includes multiple styles of African American music, dance, preaching, and much more. This free event will also feature Bishop Lisa Weah and Elder Justin Hunt from Baltimore, MD. Dr. Hunt talked about her three compositions that will be featured in this program, including her Billboard Single Hit, "Freedom", her musical family, and her background. This event and interview are part of WQED's Gospel programming that highlights local concerts in the Western Pennsylvania area.

Jim Cunningham spoke with broadcasting legend Susie Barbour about the National Museum of Broadcasting event on Saturday May 4th from 1-4pm at the Wilkinsburg Train Station celebrating the 150th birthday of Frank Conrad. The event includes birthday festivities, music by DJ Sims, a silent auction, historical displays, broadcast personalities, the beautifully restored train station and more! The key presentation will be an engaging panel with distinguished broadcasters, past and present — Jack Bogut, Sally Wiggin and Bill Flanagan—moderated by our own Jim Cunningham!

It's almost summer! Time to break out the picnic blankets and head to a park. This Voice of the Arts episode kicks off a series about summertime activities with Executive Director of South Park Theatre, Lorraine Mszanski. Lorraine highlights SPT's Mainstage Season that starts on Thursday, May 2nd with "Run for your Wife" and ends with "Sleuth" on September 19th, as well as their Children's Theatre season that features classic fairytales, for kids, by kids. And for more summertime fun, South Park Theatre will also host Party in the Park on Saturday, May 25th at 4 pm in collaboration with Bethel Park Community Foundation, Bethel Park Public Library, Bethel Park Education Foundation, and Bethel Park Historical Society. There is so much to do in South Park this summer! Visit https://sites.google.com/a/southparktheatre.com/south-park-theatre to learn more.

World renowned pianist, composer, and recording artist, John Bayless, and award-winning director, Stewart M. Schulman, spoke live with Anna Singer about their new documentary, Left Alone Rhapsody, that will have its Pittsburgh premiere as a part of the Jewish Film Festival's opening night on Thursday May 2nd at the Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland. Left Alone Rhapsody chronicles John Bayless's rise from a young musical prodigy to an internationally renowned recording artist, and his courageous struggle post-stroke to reinvent himself. The gala will include a screening of the film, a live Q&A with John and Stewart, a live performance by John, and a dessert reception. Charitable proceeds benefit Film Pittsburgh and the John Bayless Fund for Brain Research. John discusses his struggles after his stroke and reminisces about his 2006 album, The Puccini Album: Arias for Piano. Visit https://filmpittsburgh.org/films/left-alone-rhapsody to learn more about the film and find tickets for Thursday night.