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ONE half of the world, so the platitude runs, has no idea how the other half lives; it is equally true that those whose work occupies normal daytime hours have very little comprehension of the activities that go on while they sleep. Especially is this so in the great cities. In this series of talks men and women of practical experience will describe the life that is lived (in this case in London), while most of us are sleeping. This time the talk will be given by a Covent Garden porter, who will describe the great market during the night and early morning hours.

Began-IV; The Continents and the broad foundations on which they are built'
PROFESSOR W. W. WATTS, who is to give the next three talks of this series, is Professor of Geology at the Imperial College of Science and Technology, South Kensington. His talk tonight explains the division of the earth into sea and continent, and the various implications of such an antithesis. Among other points which he will touch upon in the course of this talk is that of the subject of earth pressures and their relief in earthquakes and volcanoes-with particular reference to Vesuvius and Etna and the great volcanoes of Hawaii.

DENNIS NOBLE (Baritone)
THE WIRELESS ORCHESTRA
Conducted by JOHN ANSELL
THERE are two rival ladies in the opera, Mignon horself and Filina, the actress. Mignon's best-known number is the song, ' Knowest thou the land ? ' and Filina's is the brilliant air, ' I am Titania ' (tho part which she plays in the Midsummer Night's Dream). These two songs are' the chief ingredients of this popular Overture.
The story, based on Goethe's tale of Wilhelm Meister , is one of those belonging to the romantic age of literature with which the present day has little sympathy. In the hands of Goethe, of course, even so slight and sentimental a story gains something of dignity and importance, but as an opera libretto, in this French form, it ia certainly rather slight. The libretto was made for Ambroise Thomas by Barbier and Carre, who wero responsible also for the text of Gounod's Faust, and it certainly served Thomas well as a vehicle for his melodious and singable music.
Like many a heroine of romance, Mignon ia lost by her parents and adopted by gypsies. She herself has only dim recollections of her early days, and in her famous song describes, as well as she may, her childish memories of a land far other than the one in which she finds herself now.
The other lady offers a striking contrast to the poorly-clad little gypsy maid. As a brilliant actress, feted on all hands, she laughs at the idea that anyone should be seriously interested in the little ragged girl. The story ends, as listeners no doubt remember, with Mignon's restoration to her parents, and in the happiness which the traditions of such a piece demand.

Contributors

Conducted By:
John Ansell
Unknown:
Wilhelm Meister
Unknown:
Ambroise Thomas

2LO London and 5XX Daventry

Appears in

About this data

This data is drawn from the Radio Times magazine between 1923 and 2009. It shows what was scheduled to be broadcast, meaning it was subject to change and may not be accurate. More