Special Programs: Upcoming Community and Cultural Programs

Airs Thursday, July 5 at 8:00 p.m.  Ever since their childhood concerts in Brazil and their New York appearances as teenagers in 1969, Sergio and Odair Assad have been touring the world and recording as The Assad Brothers. They have followed a fascinating path of musical development utilizing the traditional repertoire of the guitar duo, and their virtuosity has inspired a range of composers to write for them. In this episode, we listen to the complete March 19 concert at the 2010 Savannah Music Festival, recorded at the Lucas Theatre for the Arts.

Airs Wednesday, July 4 at 12:00 noon. The Ursuline Manuscript: Music from 18th-century New Orleans
A program of early music, celebrating the 4th of July with music from 18th-century New Orleans. We'll celebrate the Fourth of July on Harmonia with a trip to the Deep South. The French ensemble Le Concert Lorrain will perform excerpts from the Ursuline Manuscript, the sole-surviving collection of music from 18th-century New Orleans. A release of Michel Blavet's flute music will also be heard.  Hosted by Angela Mariani.

Airs Wednesday, July 4 at 11:00 a.m. Join us for a concert of beautiful patriotic songs as the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Celebrates Independence Day with Love of Country and Sweet Land of Liberty. Songs featured include My Country, 'Tis of Thee, The Star-Spangled Banner, America the Beautiful, America, the Dream Goes On, This Is My Country, My Country, 'Tis of Thee, God of Our Fathers - Whose Almighty Hand,  America the Beautiful, So Many Voices Sing America's Song, As the Dew From the Heaven Distilling, and God Be with You Till We Meet Again.

Airs Tuesday, July 3 at 6:00 p.m. That’s right, Joe Biden recently surprised us by announcing that in order to accommodate the Secret Service scandal and the requests of many public radio stations, the Capitol Steps July 4th edition of “Politics Takes a Holiday” will be a full hour.  It’s so wacky it just might work! Packed with new songs and more fun than a GSA party in Vegas, the Capitol Steps hope to remind you that if this special influences your vote for President…yikes, we’re in worse shape than we thought. Not for the faint of heart or for those considering running for office. warning this program could make your side split and your brain go numb.

Surgeon General's Warning:
The Capitol Steps will cause your sides to split.
– C. Everett Koop, 1/6/1989

Airs Saturday, June 30 at 12:00 noon.  Here it is—the granddaddy of grand-opera spectacle—complete with pyramids and potentates, priestesses and dancing girls, plus armies of soldiers and slaves! At its heart, a treacherous love triangle and a relationship that was never meant to be. Aida, the enslaved Ethiopian princess, and Radames, leader of the Egyptian army that conquered her homeland, long to be together forever. But someone else wants Radames, too—it’s Amneris, the jealous daughter of the Pharaoh himself! Impassioned arias, surging choruses, and exhilarating orchestral music show us Verdi at the peak of his powers–masterfully balancing pomp and pageantry with a deeply moving personal tragedy.