A new Sky Arts series, Musical Masterpieces, will air this Autumn, including one episode in partnership with Opera North exploring Bizet’s much loved but controversial opera Carmen.
The three-part series will see musician and presenter Myleene Klass and leading British composer Errollyn Wallen teaming up with leading orchestras from around the UK to uncover the ways in which three of our favourite classical pieces work their magic.
The Carmen episode, due to air on Monday 2 October, will see Myleene and Errollyn present brand-new excerpts of Bizet’s work performed by Opera North with guest artists including mezzo-soprano and star of Opera North’s most recent staged production of Carmen, Chrystal E. Williams, who gives exclusive performances of some of Carmen’s best loved arias.
They’ll also reveal the iconic composer’s secrets and techniques as they delve into the stories behind the score, with contributors including Opera North music director Garry Walker, and further musical performances by the Orchestra of Opera North joined by tenor Thomas Atkins for Don José’s lovestruck ‘Flower Song’.
Further episodes in the series explore Vivaldi’s Four Seasons performed by Sinfonia Cymru (Monday 25 September) and Mendelssohn’s Hebrides Overture performed by the Philharmonia Orchestra (Monday 9 October).
Along the way the presenters will be joined by some famous faces including Alan Titchmarsh, Simon Callow and Nicky Spence who share their own passion and insights on each of these masterpieces.
Presenter, Myleene Klass, commented:
“Some melodies feel like they’ve been with us forever, like part of the furniture, so it’s easy to forget what their origins are, the stories behind them, why the composers were compelled to write them. I’ve loved working on this series, discovering and rediscovering with Errollyn. I’m certain even those familiar with these pieces will discover something new and those just coming to classical music will be enthralled by the stories, and in some cases, the science behind them.”
Musical Masterpieces: Carmen will air at 8pm on Monday 2 October on Sky Arts and Freeview, and will thereafter be available on Now TV and Sky catch up services.
