Birge's Picks: The voices of spring
Check out host John Birge's picks for local events and milestones happening this week. From the Twins' home opener to the music of Janis Ian, there's a lot to explore this spring.
John Birge
- Host, Classical Music
- jbirge@mpr.org
John Birge has been hosting, producing and performing classical music for more than 25 years. Since 1997, he has been hosting on Minnesota Public Radio's Classical Music Service. He played French horn for the Cincinnati Symphony and Pops Orchestra and performed with them on their centennial tour of Europe in 1995. He was trained at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Eastman School of Music and Interlochen Arts Academy.
Stories
Birge's Picks: Opera connections
Check out John Birge's picks for music, opera and more. From a coffee chain's opera connection to a song fit for presidential inaugurations, there's plenty of music and news to explore this week.
Birge's Picks: A cinema collection
Check out host John Birge's picks for virtual happenings this week. From the Walker Arts Center to Wes Anderson, these are cinematic events you don't want to miss.
Birge's Picks: Virtual edition
As the snow starts to melt away and sunshine returns to the Twin Cities, so does host John Birge's weekly picks. Learn more about virtual events happening this week, from the Schubert Club to the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra.
VocalEssence celebrates 100th anniversary of women's suffrage with season opener
Classical MPR's John Birge spoke with Sally Wingert and Jocelyn Hagen ahead of VocalEssence's Oct. 18 virtual concert, 'Rightfully Hers,' which celebrates the 100th anniversary of women's right to vote in the U.S.
Met Opera conductor Joel Revzen dies at 74 from COVID-19
Joel Revzen, a staff conductor at the Metropolitan Opera for the past 20 years and the previous director of the Minnesota Chorale, died Monday due to complications from COVID-19. He was 74.
Listen: Encore of Minnesota Opera's 'Das Rheingold' at 7 p.m. Thursday
Listen at 7 p.m. Thursday as Classical MPR presents an encore broadcast of the Minnesota Opera production of Richard Wagner's timeless 'Das Rheingold.' But first, learn more about the performance in John Birge's 2016 interview with singers Greer Grimsley, Katharine Goeldner and conductor Michael Christie.
Enjoy John Birge's weekend picks from the comfort of your couch
Social distancing doesn't mean you can't enjoy weekend picks from John Birge! This weekend, celebrate the birthdays of Stephen Sondheim and Werner Klemperer, all from the comfort of your couch.
Broadway comes to Minneapolis this weekend with 'My Fair Lady'
Catch the Broadway revival of 'My Fair Lady' this weekend in Minneapolis! Also happening this weekend, here John Birge's picks on concerts from the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and Minnesota Orchestra.
Sphinx Virtuosi bring a message of justice and peace to the Ordway this weekend
This weekend, the Sphinx Virtuosi return to St. Paul with their new program, 'For Justice and Peace.' Read more about classical host John Birge's picks for this weekend, including concerts from the South Dakota Symphony and Wayzata Symphony.
Dance into the weekend with Ballet West's 'Jewels'
Classical MPR host John Birge offers his picks in classical music, movies, and dance for this weekend. Be sure to check out the ballet 'Jewels' at Northrop Auditorium this weekend.
Composer Sartje Pickett delves into her music for the Guthrie's 'Twelfth Night'
Listen to John Birge's interview with composer Sartje Pickett, who wrote the music for the Guthrie Theater's new production of Shakespeare's 'Twelfth Night.'
Roses are red, violets are blue - here are weekend picks for fun things to do!
It's Valentine's Day weekend, and there's plenty of great events happening for that perfect date night or a night with friends. Classical MPR host John Birge offers his picks in classical music, theater and more for the Twin Cities and beyond.
Weekend picks: a must-hear Mozart concert and other classical events
Classical MPR host John Birge offers his picks in classical music for the weekend of Feb. 7, including a must-hear SPCO concert of Mozart concertos and music celebrating Beethoven's 250th birthday.
Weekend picks in theater, movies and more
Looking for something fun to do this weekend in the Twin Cities or elsewhere in the region? Classical MPR host John Birge offers his picks for the weekend of Jan. 24.
Weekend picks in classical music, theater and more in the Twin Cities and beyond
Looking for something fun to do this weekend in the Twin Cities or elsewhere in the region? Classical MPR host John Birge offers his picks in classical music, theater and more for the weekend of Jan. 17.
Weekend picks in classical music, theater and more in the Twin Cities and beyond
Looking for something fun to do this weekend in the Twin Cities or elsewhere in the region? Classical MPR host John Birge offers his picks in music, theater and more around the Twin Cities and beyond.
Weekend picks in classical music, movies and more include Trumpet Day
Looking for something fun to do this weekend in the Twin Cities or elsewhere in the region? Classical MPR host John Birge offers his picks in classical music, theater and more for the weekend of Nov. 15, including Trumpet Day at the University of Minnesota.
Weekend picks in classical music, theater and more in the Twin Cities and beyond
Looking for something fun to do this weekend in the Twin Cities or elsewhere in the region? Classical MPR host John Birge offers his picks in classical music, theater and more for the weekend of Nov. 8.
Weekend picks in classical music, opera and more in the Twin Cities and beyond
Looking for something fun to do this weekend in the Twin Cities or elsewhere in the region? Classical MPR host John Birge offers his picks in classical music, theater and more.