Tuning in…
Tuning in…
Castaway
1 appearance
English opera singer.
On the island
Eight records
The Lark AscendingFavourite
Iona Brown with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, directed by Neville Marriner
This is because it has a beautiful violin obligato, and I'm very, very fond of the violin.
Piano Quintet in A major, D. 667, "The Trout" (Fourth Movement)
Clifford Curzon with members of the Vienna Octet
Again, with my association with a stringed instrument. I think it comes out very clearly in this this movement. And also The actual theme itself, The Trout, was the very, very fur first song I learnt.
The Critics (from Songs for Swinging Sellers)
Peter Sellers with Irene Handl
I think if if I were on a desert island I'd miss not being able to have a good laugh. And one of my favourite funny men was Peter Sellers.
Well this is again something Completely different. From my feel, it it's more in the pop scene.
Tristan und Isolde (Liebestod)
Kirsten Flagstad with the Philharmonia Orchestra, conducted by Wilhelm Furtwängler
For me this is one of the most supreme arias in opera. Both musically and dramatically. I find it one of the most inspiring pieces I've ever listened to, and hopefully one day I I will sing it.
Philharmonia Orchestra and Chorus, conducted by Carlo Maria Giulini
I have chosen a section of the Verdi Requiem because I have actually performed it many times and I I love the work dearly. And I've chosen the recording by Giolini because having worked with him last January To me he is the ultimate in conductors and I think to have something of him on disc would be very important for me to take to a desert island.
Qui la voce sua soave (from I Puritani)
I've chosen colours not so much for her voice. But for what she represents, a great singing actress and I can hear drama through her words when she sings, and in in this particular piece I can hear tears in her voice, and and that excites me tremendously.
Symphony No. 4 in E-flat major, "Romantic" (Opening of First Movement)
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Eugen Jochum
The reason for this is plainly because I just like it.
In conversation
Presenter asks
0:48Could you endure loneliness?
It depends how long. I do enjoy being alone.
Presenter asks
0:58Have you ever experienced being lonely?
Well, I was like that when I first came to London. I had a little flat in the East End, which wasn't actually very pleasant. and I I used to go back and spend lonely evenings there. I didn't enjoy that, I must confess, I I like being alone in beautiful places.
Presenter asks
13:34What doors did that Sofia competition open for you?
Oh, it it opened a whole new world. I met many people there. I I met my manager who immediately set up a whole load of auditions for me on the continent. and I found that all the doors were open for me. I was very lucky.
Presenter asks
22:17How did you find [La Scala Milan]?
Well, to be honest, I wasn't over the moon about it. And I would agree with what you have just said. I was not made to feel welcome at La Scala. … nevertheless, the public gave me a lovely reception, so I was lucky.
The keepsakes
The book
The Collected Works of William Wordsworth
William Wordsworth
I would take the collected works of William Wordsworth again because many of his poems describe so beautifully. My beloved England.
The luxury
Well, I did mention earlier that I did like windsurfing, therefore my luxury would be a windsurfer, if I may.
Presenter asks
25:54How important in your career is the concert platform?
At the moment it's not very important because I am essentially an opera singer and I hope that I will always be remembered as an opera singer because To me the stage and acting and the drama is very, very important. And when I'm on the concert platform, I find it Very difficult, because I'm only me. And I feel very exposed. I like to hide behind a character, and I can't on the concert platform.
“I like to hide behind a character, and I can't on the concert platform.”
“I think I would take the lark ascending, because the music is very close to my heart inasmuch as it reminds me of England, of my country, Vaughan Williams being an English composer.”