Recommended Television Programmes

[Serial_Apologist]

And planters...

[smittims]

I'd be interested to see what anyone (who's seen it) thought of The Return of Maria Callas on BBC4, as part of their Soprano Sundays series.

Playing devil's advocate I wonder if it was the best programme to convert a non-classical-music-lover to classical music. They come on in glittering evening dress and receive a tremendous ovation before they've sung a note. And they (even the page-turner) troop off and back on stage after every item. I don't know how much they paid for their tickets; maybe they were so determined to enjoy it that they overlooked the fact that Callas herself was not in very good voice that evening (or in any evening after the 1950s) and they were just so over the moon even to see her after so many years.

But like so many of these archive TV films it was a glimpse of a vanished world, and for me it was valuable for that. There was Ivor Newton, veteran of so many recitals with long-vanished singers. And Stefano, at any rate , was still in good voice. And Callas was after all a unique phenomenon, even in decline. And we wouldn't have this were it not for John Culshaw in his (then) second career as head of music for BBC TV, a few years that saw the films of Peter Grimes and Owen Wingrave. I was surprised when he suddenly abandoned his career as record producer when at the height of his powers (Billy Budd and the Solti Verdi Requiem) and I've often wondered if he was satisfied or frustrated at what he was able to do at the BBC.

[Serial_Apologist]

John Culshaw in his (then) second career as head of music for BBC TV, a few years that saw the films of Peter Grimes and Owen Wingrave. I was surprised when he suddenly abandoned his career as record producer when at the height of his powers (Billy Budd and the Solti Verdi Requiem) and I've often wondered if he was satisfied or frustrated at what he was able to do at the BBC.

It has to be said that Culshaw has nevertheless had a brilliant subsequent career as an up-to-the-minute writer and satirical comedian: I for one never miss Dead Ringers.

[LMcD]

It has to be said that Culshaw has nevertheless had a brilliant subsequent career as an up-to-the-minute writer and satirical comedian: I for one never miss Dead Ringers.

As it happens, I watched the DVD of the Colin Davis/Jon Vickers Peter Grimes last night. I have to say it didn't create nearly as good an 'impression' as Culshaw's production for the BBC.

[gradus]

I'd be interested to see what anyone (who's seen it) thought of The Return of Maria Callas on BBC4, as part of their Soprano Sundays series.

Playing devil's advocate I wonder if it was the best programme to convert a non-classical-music-lover to classical music. They come on in glittering evening dress and receive a tremendous ovation before they've sung a note. And they (even the page-turner) troop off and back on stage after every item. I don't know how much they paid for their tickets; maybe they were so determined to enjoy it that they overlooked the fact that Callas herself was not in very good voice that evening (or in any evening after the 1950s) and they were just so over the moon even to see her after so many years.

But like so many of these archive TV films it was a glimpse of a vanished world, and for me it was valuable for that. There was Ivor Newton, veteran of so many recitals with long-vanished singers. And Stefano, at any rate , was still in good voice. And Callas was after all a unique phenomenon, even in decline. And we wouldn't have this were it not for John Culshaw in his (then) second career as head of music for BBC TV, a few years that saw the films of Peter Grimes and Owen Wingrave. I was surprised when he suddenly abandoned his career as record producer when at the height of his powers (Billy Budd and the Solti Verdi Requiem) and I've often wondered if he was satisfied or frustrated at what he was able to do at the BBC.

It was a concert for her devoted fans but despite Ivor Newton's tremendous playing, a piano accompaniment, with the lid closed(!) for dramatically intense scenes is woefully inadequate and for me reduced some of the recital to near-comedy with them bellowing in each other's faces. Di Stefano had the best of it and imv the Lalo aria he sang was the real highlight of the whole thing. I'm afraid that I do not worship at the shrine of Madam Callas, but I wish I'd seen her in her prime as her early records are very good indeed. .

[smittims]

Walter Legge's laconic comment was 'best draw a veil over the later years with piano accompaniment'.

By coincidence I was listening to Callas this morning, her early '50s Traviata. Terrific. I'm told she weighed 95 kilos then but lost 25 during the decade.

[LMcD]

Berlin 1933 (started last night on BBC4). Extraordinarily detailed and brilliantly edited footage and personal recollections from nightclubbers, Goebbels and many others.

[smittims]

When did Goebbels give his personal recollections? In a Radio4 interview, perhaps

[LMcD]

When did Goebbels give his personal recollections? In a Radio4 interview, perhaps

By 'personal recollections' I meant readings by actors/producers of diary entries and extracts from speeches together with contemporaneous film footage. .

[smittims]

Of course. I'm afraid it was just my feeble attempt at humour.

[LMcD]

Of course. I'm afraid it was just my feeble attempt at humour.

Apparently he was offered an interview on Radio 4, but he was too busy negotiating a fee for a starring role in 'I'm A Celebrity'. When he learned that Nigel Farage would be a fellow contestant he went back to Radio 4 who had, however, had a 'proper gander' at his record and lost interest.

[cloughie]

Apparently he was offered an interview on Radio 4, but he was too busy negotiating a fee for a starring role in 'I'm A Celebrity'. When he learned that Nigel Farage would be a fellow contestant he went back to Radio 4 who had, however, had a 'proper gander' at his record and lost interest.

Disliking his goose-stepping maybe!

[Serial_Apologist]

Disliking his goose-stepping maybe!

Well done you getting in there first, Cloughers!

[johncorrigan]

I enjoy a wee bit Dr Who, though never a big fan of the Tennant. However, I really enjoyed last night's episode. I thought it was a great idea, and some of the effects were fantastic...and the ending was particularly poignant. A wee tear in the eye, I have to say.

[Pulcinella]

Have very much enjoyed Incastrati: Framed! A Sicilian Murder Mystery, on Netflix.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Framed!_A_Sicilian_Murder_Mystery