Original version

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

BBC Radio 3

Radio 3

Migrated podcast image for: Composer Of The Week

Composer of the Week

Music: Classical

Composer of the Week - Brand

An informative guide to composers' lives and their music.

An informative and accessible guide to composers' lives and their music.

Composer of the Week: 21st Century Opera

Composer of the Week: 21st Century Opera: Episode 1: Elements

Episode 1

Episode 1: Elements

21st Century Opera

Elements

BBC Radio 3 - Composer of the Week, 21st Century Opera, Elements

Donald Macleod gives 21st century opera a health-check, and finds it to be alive and well.

Donald Macleod gives opera a health-check, and finds it to be alive and well in the 21st century, featuring works by Glass, Saariaho, Goebbels and Benjamin.

In conversation with novelist, critic and opera librettist Paul Griffiths, Donald Macleod gives opera a health-check, and finds it to be alive and well in the 21st century. Today they consider works by Philip Glass, Kaija Saariaho, Heiner Goebbels and George Benjamin that retain traditional elements.

Philip Glass
The Trial: Act 1 scene 2b
Johnny Herford, baritone (Josef K.)
Amanda Forbes, soprano (Fräulein Bürstner)
Music Theatre Wales Ensemble

Kaija Saariaho
Émilie Suite: Contre l'oubli (Against oblivion)
Karen Vourc'h, soprano
Orchestre Philharmonique de Strasbourg, Orchestra National
Marko Letonja, conductor

Heiner Goebbels
Landschaft mit entfernten Verwandten (Landscape with Distant Relatives): 
- Part One no 9, 'Homme-bombe'
- Part One no 10, 'Schlachtenbeschreibung'
David Bennent, voice
Georg Nigl, baritone
Ensemble Modern
Deutscher Kammerchor
Franck Ollu, conductor

George Benjamin
Written on Skin: Part 1 scenes 4, 6 and 10
Barbara Hannigan, soprano (Agnès)
Bejun Mehta, countertenor (The Boy)
Mahler Chamber Orchestra
George Benjamin, conductor.

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.

Donald Macleod finds opera to be alive and well in the 21st century

In conversation with novelist, critic and opera librettist Paul Griffiths, Donald Macleod gives opera a health-check, and finds it to be alive and well in the 21st century

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Composer of the Week

21st Century Opera

Episode 1: Elements

Genres

Brand

Series

BBC Radio 3

About BBC Radio 3