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

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Opera on 3

Music: Classical: Opera

Programme presenting rare and fascinating operatic performances

Programme presenting rare and fascinating performances and vividly communicating the immediacy of the live experience

Opera on 3: The Spirit of Schubert

Opera on 3: The Spirit of Schubert: Fierrabras

Performances & Events

Drama: Musical

Music: Classical

24/03/2012

Fierrabras

The Spirit of Schubert

BBC Radio 3 - Opera on 3, The Spirit of Schubert, Fierrabras

Andrew McGregor presents a performance of Schubert's last completed opera, Fierrabras.

Andrew McGregor presents a performance of Schubert's last completed opera Fierrabras, an early example of the German romantic operatic style.

BBC Radio 3's celebration of The Spirit of Schubert continues with Fierrabras, Schubert's last completed opera and an early example of the German romantic operatic style. The story is set in the courts of the Frankish King Charlemagne and the Moorish Prince Boland. Boland's son and daughter are both in love with members of the Frankish court. While his daughter, Florinda wins her knight, his son, Fierrabras realises his love, Emma is already in love with somebody else. 

Because of the vogue for Italian opera in the 1820s, especially Rossini, Schubert's Fierrabras was overlooked by the Kärntnertor Theatre who commissioned it, and it didn't get its first performance for another 60 years. It has never really entered the repertory, but is a dramatic tale of love, honour, courage and chivalry with some glorious music. It's given here by a stellar cast including Karita Mattila and Josef Protschka, conducted by Claudio Abbado.

Presented by Andrew McGregor 


Emma.....Karita Mattila (soprano) 
König Karl.....Robert Holl (bass)
Roland.....Thomas Hampson (baritone)
Eginhard.....Robert Gambill (tenor)
Boland.....László Polgár (bass)
Fierrabras.....Josef Protschka (tenor)
Florinda.....Cheryl Studer (soprano)
Maragond.....Brigitte Balleys (contralto)
Brutamonte.....Hartmut Welker (baritone)

Arnold Schoenberg Choir
The Chamber Orchestra of Europe
Conductor.....Claudio Abbado.

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.

A Schubert opera, as part of Radio 3's season celebrating the Viennese composer

A broadcast of a Schubert opera, as part of Radio 3's season celebrating the life and work of the Viennese composer

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