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Opera

Ruth McKenzie to Revamp BBC/Arts Council's The Space

It has been hailed by some, but castigated by more as a waste of money. The Space is a digital arts initiative jointly launched by the BBC and Arts Council England. And its 2013 pilot projects have met a decidedly mixed reception, but a lack of a coherent overarching vision is a criticism that comes up frequently. New BBC Director-General Lord Tony Hall was thought to not have been too impressed so far. However, he has just announced a new director for The Space, and a relaunch. Few will quibble with his choice of director.
  • Metropolitan Opera Guild Lunches James Levine Back, Deutsche Grammophon Releases Carnegie Hall Return Concert

    The Metropolitan Opera Guild welcomed James Levine back to his Metropolitan Opera post during a lunch held at the Waldorf-Astoria on November 11. Metropolitan Opera patrons and several generations of Met singers gathered to say "Welcome home, Jimmy!" at this special event.
  • WATCH: Stephen Fry/Alan Davies at Royal Opera House's Deloitte Ignite Verdi/Wagner Festival

    What does great art do to our bodies? In an exciting world first, The Science of Opera with Stephen Fry and Alan Davies saw a team of medical scientists from UCL discovering what happens inside us when we go to the opera. Opera lover Stephen Fry took his friend, Royal Opera virgin and QI panellist Alan Davies, to the Royal Opera House. They were hooked up with the latest medical gadgetry to record the physical effects on their bodies of watching Verdi's political masterpiece Simon Boccanegra.The Science of Opera promises some landmark medical discoveries as well as answering some key questions; was Alan Davies won over by opera? Did Stephen Fry get shivers down the spine during the show? Did either of them fall asleep? And what could opera do to you?