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Culture

Saturday

Music Interviews

Russian Opera Diva Anna Netrebko

Anna Netrebko has been wowing audiences and critics since her debut with the San Francisco Opera in 1995. The soprano has just released her first solo album, Opera Arias. NPR's Scott Simon talks with the 32-year-old Russian diva.

Russian Opera Diva Anna Netrebko

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Friday

Wednesday

Piecing Together Joseph Cornell

A new exhibit celebrates Joseph Cornell, one of the most influential and idiosyncratic American artists of the 20th century. The self-taught artist created small wooden boxes filled with knickknacks he collected in New York junk shops. As David D'Arcy reports, the results were beautiful, almost religious creations that inspired just about every visual artist who followed him.

Piecing Together Joseph Cornell

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Tuesday

Studio Execs Protest New Oscar Rules

Hollywood studio executives chafe under new rules for the Academy Awards that bar them from sending free copies of their movies to other awards organizations. Opponents say the rules, combined with a shortened voting season, will prevent smaller-budget films from receiving recognition. NPR's Kim Masters reports.

Studio Execs Protest New Oscar Rules

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Monday

Music Interviews

Seattle's Visqueen: 'King Me'

Visqueen is the waterproof plastic sheeting Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge wanted Americans to put over windows to protect against anthrax. It's also the name of a new band from Seattle that pairs two young musicians with one of the city's established and best-loved music figures, Kim Warnick. Hear Marcie Sillman.

Seattle's Visqueen: 'King Me'

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Sunday

In Performance

Lynne Arriale, Live in Studio 4A

The music of jazz pianist Lynne Arriale has emerged as a staple of late-night FM radio over the past decade. In March of 2003, she released her eighth CD, Arise, for Motema Music. NPR's Liane Hansen invited Arriale to visit Studio 4A with her trio to perform and discuss her work.

Lynne Arriale, Live in Studio 4A

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Saturday

Tom Varner's Jazz French Horn

Through single-minded dedication to an unusual choice of instrument, New York-based musician Tom Varner has claimed a jazz niche with compositions and performances of the French horn. Working odd jobs and putting together fellowships, he's recorded 10 albums for small labels, including the recent Swimming and Second Communion on the Omni Tone label. Jeff Lunden reports.

Tom Varner's Jazz French Horn

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Friday

Book Review: 'The Way to Paradise'

The Way to Paradise, by Peruvian writer Mario Vargas Llosa, devotes alternating chapters to the lives of political activist Flora Tristan and her grandson, the artist Paul Gauguin. The two were idealists bound to struggle against the status quo. Alan Cheuse has a review.

Book Review: 'The Way to Paradise'

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Movie Review: '21 Grams'

Director Alejandro Gonzales Inarritu of Mexico made a name for himself last year with the film Amores Perros. That film used an unorthodox narrative structure to include multiple vantage points. Inarritu's new picture, 21 Grams, continues in that vein, weaving scenes from different storylines to tell a story of intersecting lives. NPR's Bob Mondello has a review.

Movie Review: '21 Grams'

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Movie Review: 'The Barbarian Invasions'

The Barbarian Invasions, winner of the "Best Screenplay" and "Best Actress" awards at this year's Cannes International Film Festival, opens in U.S. theaters. Los Angeles Times and Morning Edition movie critic Kenneth Turan offers a review.

Movie Review: 'The Barbarian Invasions'

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Susan Stamberg's Cranberry Relish Tradition

Sid Caesar: Still Funny After All These Years

Sid Caesar talks to Susan Stamberg about his long career in show business — and gets cajoled into performing her mother-in-law's cranberry relish recipe (you must listen to the end of her report to hear it).

Sid Caesar: Still Funny After All These Years

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Thursday

'The Day After:' 20 Years Later

In 1983, millions of Americans gathered to watch a made-for-TV movie depicting life after a nuclear attack on a small town in Kansas. The Day After aired at the height of the Cold War. Many see it as a great -- if somewhat campy -- achievement in nuclear-freeze paranoia. The director and others reflect on the movie's legacy. NPR's Neda Ulaby reports.

'The Day After:' 20 Years Later

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