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Set in a Bohemian village, Smetana's opera is deeply rooted in the musical and cultural traditions of the composer's homeland, yet has also become one of the world's most popular comic operas.

A recent bout of public disgust over dirty politics in Brazil could have had an impact at the polls today. Incumbent Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva holds the lead, but claims of corruption may result in a runoff with his main opponent, Geraldo Alckmin. Debbie Elliott speaks with NPR's Julie McCarthy.

Rock pioneer Bo Diddley, who died Monday at the age of 79, leaves behind a sound that helped build a musical genre. Born in Mississippi and raised in Chicago, Diddley played guitar on street corners before being discovered by Chess Records.

In real life, Elizabeth I and Mary Stuart were political rivals. But in the opera house passion plays better than politics, so in Maria Stuarda, the two monarchs are also in love with the same man. In Mary's case, her passion proves deadly.

The difference between writing books and capsule reviews, web and print, and how pop is like zydeco.

In an economy that's tanking, the office has become an increasingly barren wasteland. But you can still make the best of your work environment by turning off the fluorescent overheads, plugging in some headphones and checking out these segues into a world of jazz adventure.

President Bush warns Congress not to contest his authority to prosecute the war in Iraq as he sees fit. Speaking at an hourlong news conference at the White House, the president also touted the latest agreement with North Korea, meant to limit its nuclear weapons program.

Prosecutors have apparently decided not to charge senior White House adviser Karl Rove with any crimes in the CIA-leak investigation. Rove's lawyer says his client was advised of the decision Monday.

Turandot, Puccini's extravagant portrayal of ancient China, is home to "Nessun dorma!" — one of music's most famous numbers — a soaring tenor aria that's been recorded by performers ranging from Franco Corelli and Placido Domingo, to the Twelve Girls Band and the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra.

In Pakistan, authorities are looking for a missing reporter. Hayatullah Khan was kidnapped on Monday by militants after reporting the death of a top al Qaeda commander.

What do chocolate pudding, smiles, gingerbread, fishing and dairy products have to do with each other? They all have lesser-known holidays dedicated to them in the month of June. Celebrate these delightfully obscure days with Jimmy Heath, Louis Armstrong and more.

From Michel Martin To Jay Leno: Soul Singer's Career Takes Off — Before In a special New Year's encore of performances heard on the program, Tell Me More revisits its conversation with soul singer Eric Hutchinson. Since his chat with host Michel Martin, Hutchinson has continued on his rise to stardom, having appeared on the former Tonight Show with Jay Leno and having toured with pop star Kelly Clarkson. Hear Hutchinson talk candidly about his early struggle to gain recognition in the music industry and about how his career, remarkably, took a turn for the better.