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A century ago, an abandoned young woman took the stage at La Scala in Milan, Italy, and the world met Madame Butterfly, Giacomo Puccini's most famous opera heroine. Her story, set in Japan around 1900, is a tragic one of innocence betrayed. But as NPR's Ketzel Levine reports, Madame Butterfly lives on through an immortal musical score.

Jenny Toomey came out of Georgetown with a degree in philosophy and a punk rock band. She's also pressing the FCC to create more access on local radio stations for independent musicians. NPR's Neda Ulaby profiles Toomey.

NPR's Liane Hansen speaks with composer, singer and cellist Robert Een about his new CD, Mystery Dances. The longtime collaborator of New York composer Meredith Monk has written music for film, theater, and dance, often inspired by the music and sounds of distant cultures.

Tom Moon reviews music from British hip-hop sensation Dizzee Rascal. Moon says that no British hip-hop import has had much success in the states, but Dizzee may be the one to break through, with his CD Boy In Da Corner.

The Return of the King, the last film in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, leads the Academy Awards race with 11 nominations, including best picture and best director. Master and Commander gets 10 Oscar nods. With her film Lost in Translation, Sofia Coppola becomes the first American woman to be nominated for best director. Hear NPR's Bob Edwards and reporter Pat Dowell.

The celebrated New Yorker writer Mavis Gallant published two collections of stories at the end of last year. She still lives alone in Paris and, in the words of Russell Banks, she still packs a lifetime into one short story. Frank Browning profiles her.

Robert Plant's fascination with the blues goes back to his early days as lead singer for Led Zeppelin. Plant says the roots of that uniquely American art form may be traced to the deserts of Western Africa. He tells NPR's Renee Montagne about the connection he discovered at the Festival in the Desert, a gathering of nomads and musicians in Mali. Hear an extended interview and songs from the 2003 festival CD.

Bob Seger was a legend on Main Street before he hit the national scene in the 1970s. Now he's out with a second greatest hits compilation, and he's heading to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. NPR's Bob Edwards caught up with the rocker on songs past and present.

Simon & Garfunkel, The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Elton John, KISS, Aerosmith, Cher -- some of the biggest names in music are raking in the money on tour. Music critic Christian Bordal reports on why musicians are earning more money, even though fewer people are coming to see them.

One Christmas long ago, Hullihen Moore's wife gave him a camera and a trip to a photography workshop with Ansel Adams. Now, Moore has his own book out, capturing the profound and simple beauty of Virginia's mountains. Moore may be doing for Shenandoah what Adams did for Yosemite.