Cultural, Community, Information

Airs Sunday, May 5 at 6 p.m.  Imagine a world free of genetic diseases, where parents control their offspring's height, eye color and intelligence. The science may be closer than you think. Would it lead to eugenics and a stratified society where only the rich enjoy the benefits of genetic enhancement? Or would the real injustice be depriving our children of every scientifically possible opportunity? Our debaters are Sheldon Krimsky, Lord Robert Winston, Nita Farahany, and Lee Silver. 

Airs Saturday, May 4 at 12 noon.  The 2012-13 Metropolitan Opera Radio Broadcast season continues with a live broadcast of Dialogues des Carmélites, Poulenc’s opera about a group of nuns whose faith is tested under the Terror of the French Revolution. Louis Langrée conducts the first Met performance of the opera since 2003, which will feature role debuts by Isabel Leonard as the naïve Blanche de la Force and Patricia Racette as Madame Lidoine, the inspiring new Prioress of a Carmelite convent. Felicity Palmer will reprise her acclaimed portrayal of the ailing old Prioress, Madame de Croissy, and the cast also includes Erin Morley as Sister Constance, Elizabeth Bishop as Mother Marie, and Paul Appleby as Blanche’s brother. Dialogues des Carmélites will be heard live over the Toll Brothers-Metropolitan Opera International Radio Network at 12:00 p.m. CT on Saturday, May 4. 

Airs Thursday, May 2 at 8:00 p.m.  Part One of Two:  Banjoist Bela Fleck performs alongside exceptional African musicians such as Toumani Diabate, Vusi Mahlasela, D'Gary, Anania Ngoliga and others. Recorded at the Trustees Theater during the Savannah Music Festival.   Though the banjo is commonly associated with American musical styles such as country, folk and bluegrass, the stringed instrument was actually adapted from several African musicians before it developed into the modern banjo during the 20th century. One of the most renowned banjoists in the world today is Bela Fleck, who in early 2005, embarked on a trip to Africa in which he collaborated musically with some of the top musicians there. Four years later he assembled some of his favorite musicians from across the African continent and brought them over for a short tour in the United States. During this two-hour program we listen to performances by Toumani Diabate, Vusi Mahlasela, D'Gary, and Anania Ngoliga with their musical partners, and with Bela Fleck and fiddler Casey Driessen.