Opera lover Zeinab Badawi meet stars from the world of opera who are seeking to make the genre fit for the 21st century. In this first episode, Zeinab talks to two of the biggest names in opera today: Italian mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli and tenor Juan Diego Florez. Zeinab hears how Cecilia Bartoli is pushing the boundaries in a traditional man's world with a string of opera firsts to her name. And she talks to Peruvian-born tenor Juan Diego Florez about how he uses his Latin American flair and showmanship to attract new audiences and to re-imagine opera for the future.
In this second episode, Zeinab meets two sublime young opera stars who are grappling with a new world of opera. South African soprano Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha believes black performers are more accepted in opera today than in previous decades, but she says that more still needs to be done. And Zeinab hears from French tenor Benjamin Bernheim who is worried about the impact of social media on young singers and fears streaming could devalue opera in the future Zeinab hears how Cecilia Bartoli is pushing the boundaries in a traditional man's world with a string of opera firsts to her name. And she talks to Peruvian-born tenor Juan Diego Florez about how he uses his Latin American flair and showmanship to attract new audiences and to re-imagine opera for the future.
Zeinab Badawi profiles four operatic stars to explore what is in store for opera as it embraces greater diversity and innovative ways of production and of reaching new audiences. Zeinab talks to two established leading lights of the opera world, Italian mezzo Cecilia Bartoli and Peruvian-born tenor Juan Diego Florez, and to two rising opera stars who are fast establishing their careers as names of the future, South African soprano Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha and French tenor Benjamin Bernheim.
Zeinab travels to La Scala in Milan, Italy, where most opera singers dream of performing. It has the largest academy in the world attached to a theatre and trains hundreds of young people from countries worldwide every year in all aspects of theatre craft and opera singing. There, she goes behind the scenes to follow four young singers: from Europe, Asia and Latin America as they are put through their paces. She hears the views of their teachers, such as acclaimed former mezzo-soprano Luciana D'Intino and one of the world's leading vocal coaches, Vincenzo Scalera. Zeinab also meets a graduate of the academy, Egyptian-born soprano Fatma Said, who says being there transformed her life.
Zeinab travels to La Scala in Milan, one of the world's most prestigious opera houses, where top singers like the thrilling Bulgarian soprano Sonya Yoncheva perform in starring roles. But audiences do not see the army of talent backstage who make sure everything is right on the night. Zeinab goes behind the scenes and visits the vast workshop attached to La Scala Theatre, where technical teams work painstakingly and patiently to deliver stunning sets, backdrops, costumes and props. She meets the groups of creatives involved in staging a complex and traditional opera – La Gioconda by Ponchielli – as the pressure builds up ahead of opening night. We also hear from Yoncheva and her conductor husband, Domingo Hindoyan, about how getting the relationship right between conductor and singer is critical to any opera's success.
Zeinab travels to Munich in Germany to meet the world's top tenor Jonas Kaufmann. He draws legions of adoring fans wherever he performs, is the most bankable opera star, and his appearances are always a sell-out. What makes Kaufmann so unique? Zeinab learns about his journey to global fame from modest beginnings growing up in a housing development in Munich. She hears about the pressures and sacrifices involved in becoming one of the greatest singers in operatic history and the opinions of those who know him best, like his friend and biographer Thomas Voight, on how Kaufmann copes with the high expectations thrust upon him. Kaufmann speaks frankly about his life and career and how it is tough to stay at the top of their game. We also hear his advice for young tenors embarking on their careers and how he believes opera can make itself fit for the future.
Zeinab Badawi travels to Paris to meet one of the most admired, charismatic and flamboyant figures in the world of classical music and opera: the Venezuelan-born conductor Gustavo Dudamel. Zeinab hears how Dudamel is bringing a gust of fresh air, through his youthful star power, to the 350-year-old Paris National Opera as its music director and why he believes music has the power to change lives. She accompanies Dudamel on a visit to a suburb of Paris where he meets young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in his mission to diversify and expand audiences to help make the world of opera fit for the future.
Zeinab Badawi meets Sir Bryn Terfel, one of the most distinguished singers of our age. A star who is in demand on stages across the world, Bryn has stayed true to his Welsh roots and is a great proponent for Welsh culture. He invites Zeinab behind the scenes not only at the Royal Opera House where he is a regular performer, but also in his native Wales where he still lives and where he is recording an album of traditional folk songs. He was chosen personally by King Charles to sing at his coronation.
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 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 goes to Athens to celebrate the marking of the centenary of the birth of the Greek-American opera soprano Maria Callas. Known as La Divina, Callas revolutionised opera and changed it forever. Her musical genius and extraordinary performance skills left an unprecedented legacy. But her incredible life and early tragic death also reflected the darker side of fame.
In March 2024, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa celebrates her 80th birthday. Zeinab Badawi follows the incredible story of one of the greatest sopranos of our time. After an early successful stint as a pop star, she became famous In New Zealand whilst still in her teens but left for London to further her operatic career. After winning a scholarship to train in London in the swinging sixties, she made a knockout appearance in the Marriage of Figaro in 1971 at the Royal Opera House and the offers came flooding in. In the latter stages of her career, Dame Kiri rarely appeared on the operatic stage, but remained in high demand as a concert singer. When she retired in 2017, Dame Kiri devoted herself to her foundation, which nurtures young opera singers.
