WFMT Celebrates Schubert's Birthday with Mayrhofer- and Goethe-Lieder

Announcer Oliver Camacho to host special program of the composer's art songs.

Jan. 31, 2026 at 4:15pm

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WFMT, the classical radio station in Chicago, is celebrating the birthday of composer Franz Schubert with a special program featuring his Mayrhofer- and Goethe-Lieder. The program will be hosted by announcer Oliver Camacho, who joined the station in 2019 and has become known for his work on shows like Opera Box Score and OperaNow! Podcast.

Why it matters

Schubert's art songs, or Lieder, are considered some of the most important and influential works in the classical music canon. By highlighting these specific Mayrhofer- and Goethe-Lieder, the program will shine a light on Schubert's mastery of the form and his ability to set the poetry of important German literary figures to evocative music.

The details

The program will feature a selection of Schubert's Lieder that set the poetry of Johann Mayrhofer and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. These Lieder are known for their emotional depth and musical sophistication, and the WFMT program will give listeners a chance to appreciate Schubert's artistry in this genre.

  • The program will air on WFMT on January 31, 2026, which would have been Schubert's 229th birthday.
  • Schubert composed many of his most famous Lieder, including settings of poems by Mayrhofer and Goethe, in the early 19th century.

The players

WFMT

A classical radio station based in Chicago, Illinois that has been on the air since 1951 and is known for its high-quality programming and commitment to the arts.

Oliver Camacho

An announcer who joined the WFMT team in 2019 and has become known for hosting shows like Opera Box Score and OperaNow! Podcast. He is a graduate of Chicago's Lane Technical High School and Northwestern University.

Franz Schubert

An Austrian composer who lived from 1797 to 1828 and is considered one of the leading figures of the Romantic era. He is renowned for his Lieder, or art songs, which set the poetry of important German literary figures to evocative music.

Johann Mayrhofer

An Austrian poet who was a close friend and collaborator of Schubert, providing the text for many of the composer's Lieder.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

A prominent German writer and statesman who was a major influence on Schubert and whose poetry the composer frequently set to music in his Lieder.

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What they’re saying

“Schubert's Lieder are some of the most beautiful and emotionally powerful works in the classical canon. I'm thrilled to be able to share these Mayrhofer- and Goethe-settings with our listeners and shine a light on Schubert's artistry.”

— Oliver Camacho, WFMT Announcer (WFMT)

What’s next

WFMT is encouraging listeners to tune in on January 31st to enjoy this special birthday celebration of Schubert's Lieder. The station is also promoting the program on its website and social media channels to build anticipation.

The takeaway

This WFMT program highlights the enduring legacy of Schubert's art songs and the station's commitment to bringing classical music to a wide audience in the Chicago area. By focusing on the composer's settings of poetry by Mayrhofer and Goethe, the program will give listeners a deeper appreciation for Schubert's mastery of the Lied form.