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BBC Radio 3 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced Third Programme.

BBC Radio 3

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The Essay Podcast

The Essay

Discussion & Talk

Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media

Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond.

Leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond, themed across a week - insight, opinion and intellectual surprise.

The Essay: A Passion for Opera

The Essay: A Passion for Opera: Episode 5: Michael Chance

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Music: Classical: Opera

Michael Chance

Episode 5

Episode 5: Michael Chance

A Passion for Opera

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Countertenor Michael Chance describes the challenge of being an opera singer on the road.

Countertenor Michael Chance talks about the challenge of being an opera singer on the road, spending most of his working life living out of a suitcase.

Counter Tenor Michael Chance is one of Britain's great opera stars. But it's an unofficial title that has come at a cost. While Germany is full of opera houses with permanent ensembles where singers can get to know each other and work together on a series of different productions, Michael is a permanent guest. He's had to get used to living out of a suitcase, settling in to a lodging house or hotel room for a month and bonding with a new cast, a new director and new conductor, only to be off and away the moment the production is up and running. 
These are the confessions of the long distance opera singer.

The benefits have been a chance to see the world's stages and work with some of the greats. The down-side is that the whole business of teamwork, of developing together, of celebrating together is very limited. 
And of course there's the family. The pull between work and home is constant and doesn't get any easier over time.

Live music and the arts: broadcasts more live music than any other radio network. Classical music is its core. Genres include world and new music, jazz, speech and drama.

Series in which people linked with the world of opera describe their relationship to it

Series in which five people associated with the world of opera describe their relationship to it. With contributions from writers, critics and those involved in staging opera

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A Passion for Opera

Episode 5: Michael Chance

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