Top operas in Xmas TV schedules

Mike Ollier rightly bemoans the poor quality of poprock on TV over the holidays. But the classical coverage is far, far better. In particular, there’s some fabulous opera from the Royal Opera House. Here’s what they say about their offerings:

* Pavarotti: A Life in Seven Arias: BBC Two, 24 December, 4.30pm
This profile examines the musical career of Pavarotti through the arias with which he was most closely associated, including his debut in La Bohème and his huge success in Donizetti's La fille du régiment, which won him the title 'King of the High Cs'.

* The Magic of Carmen: BBC Two, Boxing Day, 1.15pm
Evocative, dramatic and colourful - the opera Carmen is a tale of passion, betrayal and revenge which features some of the most popular music ever written. Antonio Pappano, Music Director of The Royal Opera, introduces us to Francesca Zambello's celebrated production.

* Carmen: BBC Two: Boxing Day, 1.45pm
A screening of the recent acclaimed production from the Royal Opera House.

* La fille du regiment: BBC Four, 30 December, 7.30pm
A broadcast of the celebrated recent production from The Royal Opera introduced by Dawn French.

I endorse the recommendation for the great Pavarotti. But having seen both Carmen and La Fille Du Regiment productions at Covent Garden, my take is different. The Carmen was poor – but the problem is the opera itself, not the production.

La Fille du Regiment was sublime – one of my top gigs of all time, in any genre. Natalie Dessay was breathtaking – music for grown-ups doesn’t just doesn’t get any better. (Forget Dawn French, though - a bit part to appease the suburban amateur celeb-obsessed cultural tourists.)

If you watch nothing else on TV this holiday, try this spectacular production of La Fille du Regiment.


Gerry Smith