This is one of two pilot episodes for the documentary series Temples of Opera. Temples of Opera highlights the fascinating opera houses in great cities around the world. Lucy Woodruff takes you to some of the most interesting architectural gems, talks to experts about the buildings, reveals the history and meets some of the artists who work in them.
Episode 1 tells the story of opera houses in London from the 17th Century. Thanks to great composers like Purcell and Handel, London became an important centre of opera and we discover the theatres where opera was performed first. The current Royal Opera House is on the site of two lost opera houses, architectural masterpieces which burned down. Lucy Woodruff is joined by soprano Claire Booth and they talk about the phenomenon of the castrati, boys castrated to retain their youthful high voices, and also about the divas, female sopranos who were the celebrities of the day. Wearing a costume she wore for an ROH production she sings a Handel aria. The conductor Harry Sever plays early opera melodies on the harpsicord during the early history segment. Lucy and writer Simon Rees visit the John Soane Museum to view Hogarth's prints a rich source of information about opera in 18th century London.
Dan Cruickshank the much loved architectural historian and broadcaster shares his knowledge and enthusiasm for this great London landmark. We go inside and meet some of the great artists for whom this is their place of work. Tenor Charles Castronovo chats to us about how singing at the ROH compares with other international theatres, rising star soprano Anush Hovhannysian takes us on a tour and we meet Concert Master Sergey Levitin who talks about the acoustics of the auditorium. We visit staff conductor Paul Wynne Griffiths in Sir Tony Pappano's dressing room for some behind the scenes insights.
Grateful thanks to the Royal Opera House, the London Coliseum and English National Opera for their help and cooperation in the making of these pilot episodes and for the footage and music they generously supplied.
Thanks to my two kind sponsors:
Gerardine Connolly
Martin Loat OBE