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How Vivaldi — as well as Handel, Haydn and Rossini — made hits out of a single poem filled with passion, violence, mystery and magic.

Swedish crime writer Stieg Larsson was on the verge of international fame and fortune when he died in 2004, right before the publication of his bestselling Millennium trilogy. NPR's Robert Siegel talks to Larsson's publisher about what made the trilogy a runaway success.

The intrepid champion of new music turns her attention to female composers, offering a sampler of works by women across four centuries, including a favorite of Louis XIV and an Ethiopian nun.

Poet Lee Bennett Hopkins edited the new children's book, in which poets reflect on paintings at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. "Rather than describing the painting, it's what they feel," he says.

Donizetti's semi-historical drama brings life to rumors that were already spreading back in the 1500s: that the so-called "Virgin Queen" actually had a secret and passionate love life.

Food truck culture is developing its own lingo, with words like "ventrification" and "nonstaurant." And, just like the lingo started by restaurant workers and truckers, these words may be coming to a slang dictionary near you soon.

In the 1960s, catching a flight wasn't much of a hassle. No lines, no security screenings and no need to show ID. But the ease of travel brought with it some serious consequences.

The award-winning songwriter speaks with NPR's Scott Simon about the value of melody, and writing a song about rain for a movie scene that had none.

Dave Itzkoff's new book, Mad as Hell, chronicles the making of the movie Network. NPR commentator Ted Koppel says Network was meant as a satire, but seems like "inspired prophecy" now.

It's a tree-lighting tradition dating back to the 1930s and this year's tree will arrive in New York City on Nov. 11. The Norway spruce is 80 to 85 years old, weighs 12 tons and is about 80 feet tall.