90.9 WGUC will broadcast Cincinnati Opera’s production of Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Oratorio this November. Photo: Philip Groshong.
For nearly 50 years, Cincinnati Opera and 90.9 WGUC have collaborated to bring the magic of live opera to listeners across the region, making the Opera’s performances accessible to all.
The partnership between the longtime neighbors (WGUC is currently situated across the street from Music Hall’s back door*) began in 1977, when WGUC started broadcasting Cincinnati Opera performances live from the stage. Thanks to a generous gift from the Corbett Foundation, a state-of-the-art recording studio was built at Music Hall, ensuring that these performances were captured with the highest quality and making it possible for audiences near and far to experience the thrill of live opera at home.
The collaboration reached another milestone in 1980 when WGUC used its uplink capability for the first time to broadcast Cincinnati Opera’s production of The Pirates of Penzance not just locally, but to listeners in San Francisco, Boston, Philadelphia, and other U.S. cities.
Fast forward to now, and the tradition continues as WGUC airs Cincinnati Opera’s 2024 Summer Festival performances on Sunday evenings this November. Starting November 3, listeners can tune in to hear Cincinnati Opera’s thrilling productions of Mozart’s Don Giovanni (Nov. 3), Verdi’s La Traviata (Nov. 10), and Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Oratorio (Nov. 17). Each broadcast begins at 8 p.m. ET and can be heard locally on 90.9 FM or online at wguc.org.
Whether you’re a lifelong fan or new to opera, WGUC’s broadcasts of Cincinnati Opera’s season offer everyone the chance to enjoy world-class performances wherever they are.
Cincinnati Opera’s 2024 Summer Festival broadcasts on 90.9 WGUC are made possible through the generous cooperation of Local 1, the Cincinnati chapter of the American Federation of Musicians, and the American Guild of Musical Artists. Thanks also go to the Louis and Louise Nippert Charitable Foundation; H.B., E.W., and F.R. Luther Charitable Foundation, Fifth Third Bank, Trustee; and The Willard and Jean Mulford Charitable Fund and The Victoria L. Memmel Charitable Fund of the Cambridge Charitable Foundation for their support.
*WGUC, along with their parent company, Cincinnati Public Radio, will be moving to their newly constructed headquarters in Evanston over the coming months. Learn about this exciting project here.