Poetry Extra

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BBC Radio 4 Extra

Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media

Weekly opportunity for listeners to revisit the riches of the BBC radio poetry archive

A brand new poetry slot on Radio 4 Extra gives listeners a weekly opportunity to revisit the riches of the BBC radio poetry archive

Poetry Extra: The Charge of the Light Brigade and Lament for the Death of a Bullfighter

The Charge of the Light Brigade and Lament for the Death of a Bullfighter

BBC Radio 4 Extra - Poetry Extra, The Charge of the Light Brigade and Lament for the Death of a Bullfighter

4 Extra's listeners request their favourite programmes from the BBC's archive.

Daljit Nagra presents: The Charge of the Light Brigade by Tennyson read by Alan Badel (1979) and Lament for the Death of a Bullfighter (1960).

As part of BBC Radio 4 Extra’s All Request Weekend - Daljit Nagra introduces the BBC archive programme choice of listener, Maureen Quigley.  

The Charge of the Light Brigade written by  Alfred Lord Tennyson.

Originally broadcast to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the Charge,  also featuring readings from William Howard Russell's 'Times' report.

Presented by Christopher Ricks

Reader: Alan Badel.

Producer:  Ian Cotterell.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 3 in October 1979.  

Also featuring:  Lament for the Death of a Bullfighter by Frederico Garcia Lorca.  

Lorca wrote the poem in 1935: Mejias was an Andalusian bullfighter and an intimate friend of the poet; he had retired from the bull-ring a wealthy man, but later returned when he was past his prime. It is said he wanted to escape a slow death from illness or old age. He was killed in the bull-ring, and Lorca was very deeply affected by his death. 

Translated from Spanish by AL Lloyd.  

Set to music by Roberto Gerhard  

Read by Stephen Murray.  

Producer: DG Bridson  

First broadcast on the BBC Third Programme in May 1960.

**** To nominate a programme from the archives that you would like to hear again, please email radio4extra@bbc.co.uk  
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