Introduction
Classical music comes alive this summer across the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ with a rich
mix of world class opera performances and factual pieces.
UK and international operatic performances are complemented by documentaries
on musical icons that offer a fresh take on their subjects, gained through
new interviews and exclusive access.
As well as appealing to viewers who already have a passion for opera,
some of the pieces will also aim to reach broader audiences including
younger viewers, such as the first ever opera performance from Glastonbury
as ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ TWO broadcasts a live English National Opera (ENO) performance
of Act 3 of Wagner's The Valkyrie on 27 June.
Highlights of the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Summer of Opera season include:
Gounod's Faust, broadcast live on ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ TWO from London's
Royal Opera House, starring top soprano Angela Gheorghiu, Bryn Terfel
and world renowned tenor Roberto Alagna in David McVicar's exciting
new production;
ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ TWO's flagship arts programme Arena takes a unique look at the
extraordinary life of Luciano Pavarotti (Arena: Luciano Pavarotti
- The Last Tenor) and gains exclusive access to one of opera's
most famous modern icons both on stage and at home with his young family;
Britten's Children on ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ TWO provides a psychological
portrait of the composer Benjamin Britten and looks specifically at
the music he wrote for and about children through the prism of his work
and friendships with young people;
ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ FOUR's documentary I Want To Be Pavarotti focuses
on tomorrow's aspiring opera icons and the successful, if controversial,
talents of Robert Alderson, a singing teacher who can spot new talent
merely by hearing a child shout in a playground.
Two of Robert's newest students are followed as their voices, appearance
and attitudes are dramatically transformed.
International operatic performances include Peter Brook's famous production
of Mozart's Don Giovanni at Aix-en-Provence.
Closer to home there's Tchaikovsky's passionate opera of lost love,
Eugene Onegin, a the new production from Welsh National
Opera; a specially commissioned film version of Britten's opera The
Turn of the Screw is shot on location in Lincolnshire and directed
by Katie Mitchell; and Glyndebourne, in its beautiful Sussex setting,
plays host to two strikingly different short operas: Puccini's popular
comedy Gianni Schicchi and a rarity - Rachmaninov's
The Miserly Knight.
Head of Classical Music on ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Television, Peter Maniura, says: "This
classical feast offers a striking range of music - from the popular
to intriguing rarities and world premieres.
"ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Television takes the viewer into the heart of classical music
with innovative programming and world-class performances."
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