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Today’s Beautiful Music is FUN! El Sarao de la Chacona is an infectiously charming melody, and its performance will have you tapping your toes. El Sarao de la Chacona is music by Juan Arañés from the early 17th century. The Spanish baroque composer lived from 1580-1649,

Francis “Frank” Johnson was an American composer who lived from 1792-1844. According to the Penn Libraries article about Johnson, he was, “the first African American composer to have his works published as sheet music. He also was the first African American to give public concerts and the first to participate in racially integrated concerts in

Marlène Ngalissamy is a multi-talented musician who was one of the soloists featured on the 2023 CD BREAKING BARRIERS. She was one of three young musicians who performed concertos with Ontario Pops Orchestra, led by Carlos Bastidas. As a Community Arts Fellow at Curtis Institute, the versatile Canadian instrumentalist gave an online presentation in 2020

Happy May Day! Today’s Beautiful Music features charming songs celebrating May. Soprano Amber Kay and lutenist Ignacio Portillo perform NOW IS THE MONTH OF MAYING by Thomas Morley … Musica Amantes sings THIS SWEET AND MERRY MONTH OF MAY by William Byrd … and the MAY Suite from Christopher Simpson’s collection THE MONTHS.

On this final day of Poetry Month, today’s Beautiful Music features two performances of Robert Burns’ 1794 poem A RED, RED ROSE. The performers include Voces8 and The King’s Singers, https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/43812/a-red-red-rose

When Hector Berlioz composed his comic opera Béatrice et Bénédict in 1862, he wrote the French libretto himself, basing it on the interplay between two main characters in William Shakespeare’s play MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING. It’s playful, lively, and charming. For today’s Beautiful Music, Alexis Hauser leads McGill Symphony Orchestra in this 2016 performance of

Russian Romantic era composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky wrote his ROMEO AND JULIET FANTASY OVERTURE in 1880, based on the play by William Shakespeare. Tchaikovsky was said to have been inspired to compose it by his friend, composer Mily Balakirev, who ultimately wasn’t too keen on the final product. For today’s Beautiful Music, Andrés Orozco-Estrada conducts

Claude Debussy composed his Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune between 1892-94. He was inspired by his friend, poet Stéphane Mallarmé’s 1876 epic poem AFTERNOON OF A FAUN. Today’s Beautiful Music features Orquesta Sinfónica de Minería, conducted by Carlos Miguel Prieto, performing Debussy’s gorgeous orchestral work. You can also use the link below to learn more

Jessye Norman’s magnificent artistry provides today’s Beautiful Music. This is her deeply moving performance of FOUR LAST SONGS by Richard Strauss, based on poems by Joseph von Eichendorff. The American soprano collaborated with Wolfgang Sawallisch and the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande on Strauss’ musical settings of Frühling” (Spring), September, Beim Schlafengehen (When Falling Asleep)

British vocal ensemble Stile Antico offers today’s Beautiful Music. The marvelous singers are featured in a variety of music from centuries ago by Josquin Des Prez and others. The performances were recorded for the Boston Early Music Festival.