Stradivarius violins often sell for millions. There’s a long history behind them, and violinists who swear they sound better than modern ones.

Morgiane, perhaps the oldest opera by a Black American, finally receives its full public performance, shedding light on the forgotten heyday of opera in New Orleans.

Arson Fahim remembers leaving for Boston to study music just days before the Taliban took over Afghanistan.

Professor Adrian Anantawan co-founded the Music Inclusion Ensemble at the Boston college.

In his album Amours Interdites (Forbidden Love) French pianist David Kadouch explores music by gay composers who concealed their sexuality in societies that wouldn’t otherwise accept them.

On his new album, the British keyboardist offers both engaging and entertaining contemporary works for the misunderstood instrument.

In celebration of what would have been Martin Luther King Jr.’s 96th birthday, pianist Lara Downes examines how musicians have followed in his footsteps, and faced the cost of taking a stand.

Something kind of miraculous takes place when teenagers take over the Tiny Desk. Their astounding performances confirm a bright forecast for the future of music.

Two short operas that got their premieres at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. feature Black female protagonists.

The rising star of the British Kanneh-Mason family offers vigorous Chopin, serene Liszt and a stirring spiritual at the trusty Tiny Desk upright piano.

NPR Music’s classical expert is an omnivorous listener, who treated the music of 2024 as sustenance for a year of zigzagging emotional highs and lows.

Discover a wide range of this year’s most compelling classical music, from symphonic thrill rides and soaring voices to delicate baroque suites, ambient adventures and one groove-laden masterwork.