Dolores Huerta was a civil rights icon and labor leader who met countless famous people in her long life. She was also a passionate jazz fan, who found herself speechless when she met Charlie Parker.

Michelle Branch's hit song "All You Wanted" released in 2001.

NPR Music culture critic and reporter Rodney Carmichael ruminates on the latest in rap culture. This week: Is the rap mogul's self-selection a crowning achievement or a final affront?

"Is it real?" is the most pressing question in music in 2026, and it's one that feels impossible to adequately answer, in almost any context.

Controversy over an artist being fake — or someone thinking they are — is hardly new. Here are some of the craziest moments in recent music history when the boundary between real and fake collapsed.

From top to (cheeky) bottom, CMAT's Tiny Desk has it all: captivating stage presence, sharp songwriting, vocal range, a great band and comedic timing.

From an indie darling getting called a "psyop" to plagiarism allegations against a rising pop star, this year feels like an especially fraught time to bicker about authenticity in the music industry.

Taylor Swift still has the No. 1 song in the country, but there are several songs behind her worth your attention.

World Cafe host Raina Douris said she tries to capture the humanity behind well-known and up-and-coming artists.

Webb has written music for a host of superstars. Now 80, he has a new album of previously unreleased songs and he performs on PBS' Great Performances later this month. Originally broadcast in 2004.

Opera Shop host Darren Hellwege talks with Caitlyn Vincent, author of the new book "Opera Wars: Inside the World of Opera and the Battles For It's Future." Caitlyn's career as a singer, director and teacher gives her a special view of opera, and she also spoke with many in the world of opera. What's the state of opera? What problems are there and how are they best addressed? The book is an unflinching look at the art, but is also full of fun insider stories about the drama both on stage and behind the scenes. Official publisher page for "Opera Wars"

Opera Shop host Darren Hellwege talks with lifestyle journalist Shivani Vora about her recent interview for Forbes with Metropolitan Opera Principal Guest Conductor Daniele Rustioni. They discuss Rustioni's "process," life in the busy hub of the neighborhood around Lincoln Center, and Daniele's advice to newcomers to the art. Shivani's article can be found here: Met Opera’s Andrea Chénier Conductor Daniele Rustioni Talks Travel And Opera

With a focus on music from Early Romantic Era composers, the show - Blossoming into Romanticism - now airs each Thursday at 4:00pm.

"Opera Shop" host Darren Hellwege talks with Matt Haney, who is directing two performances of Puccini's La Boheme with the Ozarks Lyric Opera in Springfield next weekend. https://ozarkslyricopera.com/la-boheme

"Opera Shop" host Darren Hellwege visits with some of the talented young people bringing a production of Gian Carlo Menoti's "Amahl and the Night Visitors" to Columbia. The production will be Dec. 5th and 6th at First Baptist Church of Columbia. Our guests are Molly Symmonds (Ahmal) Kennedy Kinnick (mother) and Carter Thiemann, who is the pianist.