Classical Music from Aspen

Violinist Augustin Hadelich played a Stradivarius for years, and now plays a del Jesu, which he says has a more even tone. It certainly shined in his recent performance of the greatest American violin concerto ever composed, by Samuel Barber in 1939. APR Sunday live broadcast host Chris Mohr talks with him about his new violin, and the uniquely beautiful violin concerto of America's own Samuel Barber.

We are used to countertenor voices in the world of pop music, like Michael Jackson, Prince and Freddie Mercury in their highest registers. Classically trained countertenors singing with powerful falsettos are popular now, and Anthony Roth Costanzo is one of the greatest. He talks with APR's Chris Mohr about his voice, and his role in Britten's Opera A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Conductor Jane Glover was a sixteen-year-old schoolgirl when Benjamin Britten invited her to participate in his summer festival. She has conducted his operas many times, and on July 20 and 22, she conducts Brittren's magical work, A Midsummer Night's Dream. APR host Chris Mohr caught up with her to talk about this opera.

In a chat with Chris Mohr at Aspen Public Radio, conductor Rafael Payare talks about his work with the San Diego Symphony, the challenges of conducting an orchestra for the first time, and the joy of conducting great music with his wife Alisa Weilerstein soloing as cellist. He conducted the Aspen Festival Orchestra July 12 with Alisa performing the Dvorak cello concerto.

Countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo and mezzo soprano Joyce diDonato actually share some repertoire, as both sing many of the same Handel arias. When Joyce suffered a minor injury recently, Costanzo was in town rehearsing Britten's opera A Midsummer Night's Dream.(at the Wheeler July 20 and 22). He and pianist Patrick Summers agreed to put on a recital to replace Joyce's, even though both are incredibly busy with their many other performing and teaching obligations. He talks with APR classical host Chris Mohr about his recital.

APR classical host sat down with AMFS Music Director Robert Spano to talk about the 200 concerts coming up this summer, his Conducting Academy and the orchestra they have just for them to hone their craft (performing every Wednesday), and the composition students he and Chris Theofanidis work with and inspire.

Superstar soprano Renee Fleming is back in Aspen for her fifth year co-directing with Houston Grand Opera director Patrick Summer the Artists of Aspen Opera Theatre and Vocal Arts Program, with internationally talented young opera singers. Renee also talks about her debut at the recent Telluride Bluegrass Festival with Bela Fleck, and Patrick talks about his plans now that he has stepped down from HGO.

On July 5, Alan Fletcher sat down with APR classical host Chris Mohr to preview the summer season, helping to make sense of a music schedule that features over 200 concerts in eight weeks! He also talks about his pending retirement from the Music Festival after 21 years at the helm.

APR's Chris Mohr and Aspen Music Festival CEO and President Alan Fletcher caught up at the end of the 2025 season to share some of their favorite memories -- and give APR listeners a peek into the 2026 season!

APR's Chris Mohr talked with the pianist who performed in Disney's Fantasia 2000 and who just brought the AMFS 2025 season to a triumphant close.