Who's afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Certainly not Michael Cunningham, the Pulitzer Prize winning author of the Hours. He has written that certain specific pieces of classical music haunt him while writing his novels, and music appears frequently as part of the narrative in his work. He joins us today along with the conductor William Eddins. Both will be participating in an upcoming concert by the Brooklyn Philharmonic that features readings from Cunningham's novels along with performances of music inspired by his writings. Also, sometimes vocal music is more than just about the words – but the "instruments" that produce it. New York Times cultural critic John Rockwell believes that conservatory-trained singers today have become overly cautious and maybe a little rock 'n' roll abandon is what's needed to enliven the art form. He joins us to discuss this topic.
Additional Resources:
» Words and Music at the Brooklyn Philharmonic
» Why Can't Opera Stars Be More Like Rockers? A Cautionary Tale by John Rockwell