Take Me to the Opera

Zeinab Badawi ventures into the English countryside to go behind-the-scenes at the historic opera venue of Glyndebourne, in East Sussex. She asks how far Glyndebourne is leading the way in trying to make opera fit for the future through innovative initiatives around sustainability and diversity. Gus Christie, the chair of Glyndebourne and his wife Danielle de Niese, the acclaimed Australian-American soprano, take Zeinab through the history of Glyndebourne, from the first modest performance in a room in Gus's family home to its present-day status as a world-class venue, which offers audiences a whole experience including idyllic gardens, fine dining and a dedicated art gallery for exhibitions by leading artists.

Zeinab Badawi meets Sir Antonio Pappano as he ends his celebrated tenure as Music Director of the Royal Opera House after the 2023/24 season to become Music Director of the London Symphony Orchestra. Sir Antonio has railed against the prevailing perception of opera as elitist, saying it is 'a misconception that totally distorts the image of opera'. He has conducted almost the entire Italian and French repertoires, a good part of the Russian, plus Wagner, Strauss and contemporary works; Zeinab goes behind-the-scenes with Tony and his cast at rehearsals of Massenet's Werther to explore the state of opera.

Zeinab Badawi meets Sir Bryn Terfel, one of the most distinguished singers of our age, who is in demand on stages across the world.