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©2026 Classical California

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Lara Downes

Peter Mattei as Lincoln and Everett Sobers as Willie Lincoln in Missy Mazzoli's "Lincoln in the Bardo."

America in the Bardo

What does America sound like?

11/02/2026
Lara Host Column

How Classical, Jazz, and Mexican Musical Traditions Come Together in an Innovative New Opera

Join Classical California host and Resident Artist Lara Downes for a conversation wtih composer Paola Prestini and vocalist and composer Magos Herrera.

09/23/2026
Lara in Green credit Max Barrett

Classical Americana 2026

Classical California’s Lara Downes celebrates America's 250 anniversary by dedicating this season of Classical Americana to a reflection on the Declaration of Independence

07/01/2026
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Celebrating Florence Price

Classical California’s Lara Downes celebrates Florence Price's Birthday.

03/31/2026
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Marin Alsop’s Purple Baton: Empowering the Leaders of Tomorrow

Classical California’s Lara Downes talks with trailblazing conductor Marin Alsop about the #PurpleBaton movement and the future of women on the podium.

03/03/2026
Denyce Graves blog (2048 x 865 px)

A Celebration of Denyce Graves

Lara Downes celebrates mezzo soprano Denyce Graves

01/23/2026
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"I Believe" with Community Music Center

Classical California presents "I Believe" with the Community Music Center

12/03/2024

Video Series

Amplify Season 4
1 videos

Amplify with Lara Downes: Season 4

"Amplify with Lara Downes" eavesdrops on convivial conversations with today’s leading Black artists.

11/20/2024

Shows

Lara Classical Americana 1-11

Classical Americana

What’s the defining sound of American classical music? What people, stories, sights and sounds throughout American history built our unique classical tradition, and where does it go from here? On Classical Americana, iconoclastic pianist Lara Downes drives you down the highways and byways of American music, with roadside discoveries and detours to the crossroads where musical traditions merge and transform. Tune in each Saturday 6PM-7PM.

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Dianne Nicolini's tribute to conductor Herbert Blomstedt, former Music Director of the San Francisco Symphony

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The Story Behind “Appalachian Spring,” the Ballet

Explore the history of Appalachian Spring, a ballet commissioned by Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge, composed by Aaron Copland, and choreographed by Martha Graham.

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The Ride of the Golden State Valkyries!

Dianne Nicolini roots for WNBA's Gold State Valkyries, a team full of Brünnhildes!

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Solomon Reynolds illuminates an ancient musical death code.

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Trippy Tales in Classical Music

Explore the connection between altered states of consciousness and music composition, featuring works by Berlioz, Hildegard of Bingen, and Schumann.

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10 More Composers With Latin American Roots You Should Know

Explore the lives and works of ten influential female composers from Latin America, spanning various genres and periods, from opera to electronic music.

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