Bellini's final opera, composed in 1835, is set during the English Civil War and centres on Lord Arthur Talbot's love for Elvira, daughter of the Puritan governor of Plymouth fortress. Introduced live from the New York Metropolitan Opera by Margaret Juntwait.
Metropolitan Opera Chorus and Orchestra, conductor Patrick Summers

7.50 Twenty Minutes: Rescuing a Threatened Species
Irving Finkel's job is looking after the Mesopotamian clay tablets at the British Museum. In his spare time he has begun to collect old diaries. Dentist appointments from the 1950s and the cost of a weekly shop might not seem the most enthralling material for historians to work on, but if no-one saves these unloved relics how will future generations understand our times?

8.10 Act 2

9.00 Met Opera Quiz
Send questions to: Met Opera Quiz, [address removed], or via [web address removed]

9.20 Act 3
RT DIRECT: Bellini's I Puritani (2 CDs), with Maria Callas , Giuseppe di Stefano and the Orchestra of La Scala Milan conducted by Tullio Serafin , is available for £11.99 including p&p. To order please send a cheque, payable to Selections to: [address removed] or call the orderline on [number removed] (national rate), or visit [web address removed]. Quote Ref [number removed]. UK delivery only