On Thursday, March 9, 2017, the U.K.-based Eric Whitacre Singers performed their first-ever concert in the state of Minnesota. MPR multimedia producer Nate Ryan was on hand to capture a rich gallery of images from the concert, which played to a capacity crowd.


In pictures: The Eric Whitacre Singers perform at the Cathedral of St. Paul

The Minnesota Orchestra performed two historic concerts in Havana, Cuba, on May 15 and 16, 2015. Classical Minnesota Public Radio documented the whole trip; here is a recap of the historic visit, presented in a four-minute video.


Watch this four-minute video recap of the MN Orchestra's Cuba tour

The Minnesota Orchestra closed out their whirlwind tour of Havana Saturday night with an awe-inspiring performance of both the Cuban and American national anthems. Classical MPR’s Brian Newhouse writes, “‘Burst into song’ is cliché, but that is exactly what happened, a mix of shock and joy on those faces. An American orchestra playing the Cuban … Continue reading Photos: Minnesota Orchestra’s final 24 hours in Havana →


Photos: Minnesota Orchestra’s final 24 hours in Havana

The Minnesota Orchestra played to a packed house in Havana last night for the first concert of its historic tour. The all-Beethoven program received repeated standing ovations. After the concert, French horn student Arletto Juarez explained that a U.S. orchestra is unlike anything she’s heard. “Ah, [it] was amazing. Here the sound was different, here … Continue reading Photos: Minnesota Orchestra perform at Teatro Nacional in Havana, Cuba →


Photos: Minnesota Orchestra perform at Teatro Nacional in Havana, Cuba

Part of the Minnesota Orchestra’s goal in coming to Cuba was to participate in a couple of musical cultural exchanges. On Thursday, the orchestra went to “Music City” to work with high school and college-age musicians. On Friday, the musicians returned to Teatro Nacional de Cuba — the scene of last night’s rehearsal — and … Continue reading Photos: Rehearsing with Orquesta Sinfonica Juvenil →


Photos: Rehearsing with Orquesta Sinfonica Juvenil

On May 15th, photographer Nate Ryan embarked on a short tour of the city with patrons of the Minnesota Orchestra. The tour bus navigated through the streets of Havana, brought the tour to a seafood restaurant for lunch, and to the famed cigar manufacturer Cuesta-Rey. More photos can be found at classicalmpr.org/cuba. More photos can … Continue reading Photos: 13 breathtaking scenes from Havana →


Photos: 13 breathtaking scenes from Havana

The Minnesota Orchestra topped a day visiting “Music city,” a concentrated school for high school and college-age musicians, by getting comfortable in the Teatro Nacional de Cuba, the venue for tonight and tomorrow’s concerts. After a rigorous rehearsal, Osmo Vänskä released the musicians, who enjoyed a meal in Plaza de la Catedral in old Havana, … Continue reading Photos: Minnesota Orchestra rehearsal and Cuban nightlife →


Photos: Minnesota Orchestra rehearsal and Cuban nightlife

The members of the Minnesota Orchestra — and our friends in the media — got an early start for the Minnesota Orchestra’s landmark trip to Cuba today. After months of preparation, the musicians enjoyed a champagne toast aboard the plane before touching down and getting their first glimpse of Havana. Classical Minnesota Public Radio will … Continue reading Photos: Minnesota Orchestra takes flight to Havana, Cuba →


Nate Ryan

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