Six films in which Chris Serle and Paul Heiney take it in turns to plunge in at the deep end and learn the hard way about a completely new world.
Opera Singer
Chris Serle 's musical experience is confined to banging on the drums with the Crouch End All Stars in his local pub. Now he has to master the world of grand opera. His aim is to sing a role with the English
National Opera on the stage of the massive London Coliseum.
Coached by Sir Geraint Evans and advised by producer Jonathan Miller , conductor Sir Georg Solti and the world-famous Italian baritone, the late
Tito Gobbi , Chris finally lands the part of a 90-year-old butler in The Gambler by Prokofiev. He must learn to project his voice over an 80-piece orchestra and to do his own character make-up. Life becomes more difficult still when, shortly before opening night, Chris breaks his foot in a motorcycle accident. But the show must go on. As 2,500 opera lovers pack the auditorium, he nervously awaits his first call on stage....
Film editor JIM LATHAM
Series producer EDWARD MIRZOEFF Producer NICK HANDEL
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