Northwest Focus Live takes center stage as this week’s highlight on Classical KING, featuring pianist Min Kwon and her America/Beautiful project, a compelling musical exploration of the many voices and perspectives that shape what “America” means today.

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Northwest Focus Live  

Min Kwon

Friday, May 8 | 7pm

Host: Sean MacLean

Northwest Focus Live celebrates exceptional classical artists with ties to the Pacific Northwest, and this week features pianist Min Kwon ahead of her appearance at Meany Center. Her America/Beautiful project brings together 76 newly commissioned piano works by American composers, each inspired by “America the Beautiful” and reflecting a wide range of perspectives on the nation’s identity. The result is a rich and thought-provoking musical tapestry that embraces complexity, invites dialogue, and explores what “America the Beautiful” can mean today.

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Classical Calm  

Find your moment of calm this May with music designed to help you slow down, reset, and recharge. In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, Classical KING’s Classical Calm channel offers a peaceful escape with relaxing classical favorites streaming 24/7, uninterrupted. Whether you’re looking to focus, unwind, or simply take a break from the noise of the day, Classical Calm provides a steady, soothing soundtrack whenever you need it. Tune in on 98.1 HD-2, through the Classical KING mobile app, or online at ClassicalKING.org.

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Northwest Focus Concert Calendar  

Find local concerts in your community at: https://classicalking.org/nw-focus-concert-calendar  

South Sound Classical Choir: Spring Concert Series

Friday, May 8 | 7pm | Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, Milton

Bring light into spring with the South Sound Classical Choir, a vibrant ensemble of singers from across the South Puget Sound region. In the final concert of their Spring Concert Series, this 60-voice community choir presents a blend of contemporary and classical works, including music by Elaine Hagenberg, Mozart, and Morten Lauridsen’s Lux Aeterna. Centered on themes of reflection and light, the program offers a warm and uplifting close to the season.

Chamber Music Guild Masterworks Series: Skyros Quartet

Saturday, May 9 | 2pm | The Castle Building, Lynnwood

Experience intimate chamber music in a setting designed for close listening as the Skyros Quartet performs as part of the Chamber Music Guild’s Masterworks Series. This program blends cornerstone repertoire with fresh perspectives, featuring Haydn’s “Sun” Quartet, music by Imogen Holst, and selections by violinist and Scottish fiddler Brandon Vance. Presented by Chamber Music Guild, a Pacific Northwest nonprofit dedicated to building community through music, this concert offers a thoughtful mix of classical and contemporary works in an inviting, up-close environment.

Bel Canto Seattle: Opera Rebels

Saturday, May 9 | 7:30pm | Sunset Hill Community Hall, Seattle

Experience opera with a fresh perspective as Bel Canto Seattle presents Opera Rebels, an evening designed to break down barriers and invite new audiences in. Featuring a cast of Seattle-based vocalists, the program blends traditional repertoire with a more open, audience-focused approach, highlighting the expressive power and range of the human voice. With piano, strings, and guest artists, this performance reimagines opera as something immediate, communal, and full of energy—true to Bel Canto Seattle’s mission of making vocal music accessible and engaging for all.

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The Score with Edmund Stone  

MacGuffins

Saturday, May 9 | 4pm  

Join Edmund Stone of The Score as he delves into one of cinema’s favorite hooks: the MacGuffin. These people or objects are central to the theme of the movie although they don’t play a big role. Unravel the quirks of these plot devices such as the Walkman in Guardians of the Galaxy, the Holy Grail in Excalibur, The Heart of the Ocean in Titanic and more.   

Fractured Fairy Tales 

Sunday, May 10 | 4pm  

Everyone loves a good story, especially when it’s told by Edmund Stone. This time he is weaving a magical, musical spell about Fairy Tales. WIth the advent of cinema, familiar fables have been updated to reflect a more modern take on things. Hear music from Shrek, Pinocchio, Enchanted and more. It’s a look and a listen to “Fractured Fairy Tales” – new twists on old favorites.

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Metropolitan Opera 

Donizetti: La Fille du Régiment

Saturday, May 9 | 10am  

Donizetti’s La Fille du Régiment brings high-energy comedy and virtuosic singing to the stage in a lively production filled with humor and heart. Soprano Erin Morley stars as Marie, a young woman raised by a regiment of soldiers, alongside tenor Lawrence Brownlee as Tonio. When Marie’s true identity is revealed, she finds herself torn between her military family and a new aristocratic life, setting the stage for a story of love, loyalty, and belonging. With its fast-moving plot and dazzling vocal moments, this bel canto favorite delivers both charm and emotional warmth.

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Explore More on ClassicalKING.org 

Looking for details about what you hear online, on our app, or on 98.1 FM? 

Visit our playlist for comprehensive information on every piece and performer. 

Stay inspired and enjoy another week of incredible music on Classical KING!