April 24, 2003 - People mostly know the Vikings who raided Europe and North America a thousand years ago as aggressive warriors. Visitors to the Viking exhibit at the Science Museum of Minnesota may be surprised then to learn that at home these warriors shared power with their wives. Elisabeth Ward is the assistant curator of the exhibit and is an expert on the lives of Viking women. Ward says Viking women held broad leadership roles in Viking society
April 25, 2003 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer interviews violin virtuoso Gil Shaham, who will perform Korngold's Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D Major with The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. Shaham discusses Viennese composers, his instrument, and touring.
May 1, 2003 - The VocalEssence music series presents the North American professional premiere of Swedish composer Sven-David Sandström’s "High Mass." It is a huge event, featuring two full choirs, an orchestra and five soloists, with close to 250 people on stage at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis.
May 2, 2003 - MPR’s Dan Olson profiles the music known as Mariachi, and one of Minnesota's best-known Mariachi bands, Mariachi Flor y Canto, as they prepare to perform in the state's biggest Cinco de Mayo celebration on St. Paul's West Side.
May 2, 2003 - MPR's Marisa Helms reports that the University of Minnesota's School of Music is marking 100 years of developing many of the region's foremost music teachers, performers and composers. Helms looks into the school and its history.
May 6, 2003 - Mainstreet Radio’s Bob Reha reports on the National Symphony Orchestra visit to North Dakota, as part of the American Residency Program that the orchestra began in 1992. In two weeks, the musicians will have performed 200 concerts and workshops across the state.
May 7, 2003 - 40 years ago today the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis opened its doors for the first time. The new theater was Sir Tyrone Guthrie's brainchild. The internationally known director wanted to build high quality theater outside the influence of the New York scene. Four decades on Guthrie's vision endures, but the theater now appears to be at a crossroads. Minnesota Public Radio's Marianne Combs takes a look at the past, present and uncertain future of the Guthrie.
May 7, 2003 - Two Minneapolis based Civil Rights lawyers are putting their views on America's criminal justice system on film. For the past five weeks, John Shulman and Jeanne Marie Almonor have been sharing directing duties for a movie called 'Justice' filmed in the Twin Cities. Justice is a drama about how the directors feel the criminal justice system treats African Americans. Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams visited the set of the movie and has this report
May 8, 2003 - MPR’s Lorna Benson sits down with American singer-songwriter Suzanne Vega to discuss her music career. Vega also talks about hosting Minnesota Public Radio's American Mavericks Series. The 13-part program features the life stories and music of the tradition-breaking composers that helped shape American classical music.
May 9, 2003 - MPR’s Mike Edgerly interviews Minneapolis poet Betsy Brown about her book, "Year of Morphines," which preserves in verse her memory of two women who didn't survive breast cancer; her mother and sister. Brown reads from book.