A live transmission from the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, of Mozart's opera. Johannes Schaaf 's new production is conducted by Bernard Haitink and given in the presence of Her Majesty the Queen to mark the 40th anniversary of her accession to the throne. Schaaf has previously staged both The Marriage of Figaro and Cosi fan tutte at Covent Garden.
Tonight's performance is sung in Italian with English subtitles. Royal Opera House General Director Jeremy Isaacs says, "This is a normal, scheduled performance as opposed to a specially staged gala, but it is one that we hope that the Queen will very much enjoy."
With the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House and the Royal Opera Chorus.
Introduced by Jane Glover.
Television director John Michael Phillips Production supported by Fondation Elf and the Jean Sainsbury Royal Opera House Fund
• SIMULTANEOUS BROADCAST: with Radb3 0 MUSIC: page 28
8.30 9.00 pm*
Long Live the Queen
Between Acts 1 and 2 there is a special interval feature recalling the extraordinary and transitional year which began when the young Princess
Elizabeth succeeded her father and culminated in her coronation.
Producers Bob Portway. Patricia Wheatley