Royal Ballet (and Opera) on BBC

[Helene]

I just received this email from the Royal Opera House:

Dear Patron,

A quick reminder, while you are planning your Christmas viewing, that the Royal Opera House has five programmes being broadcast on BBC television over the holiday period.

Darcey Bussell – ‘Britain’s Ballerina’ Christmas Day BBC2 3.20pm

The Royal Ballet’s Sylvia Christmas Day BBC2 3.50pm

‘A Curtain Call for Aid’ Boxing Day BBC4 7pm

The Royal Opera’s Il barbiere di Siviglia 30 December BBC4 7.40pm

Pinocchio 8 January BBC2 7.20pm

On Christmas Day at 3.20pm, BBC2 viewers can watch a half-hour documentary on Principal Dancer Darcey Bussell, followed by a broadcast of the highly acclaimed production of Frederick Ashton’s Sylvia, danced by The Royal Ballet.

On Boxing Day at 7pm on BBC4, there is the first showing of ‘A Curtain Call for Aid’, an evening of opera and ballet in support of Save the Children’s Rehabilitation Fund on the first anniversary of the Tsunami disaster. This one-off event, presented by the staff and artists of the Royal Opera House took place on Easter Sunday 2005. The event included performances by Karita Mattila, Thomas Hampson, Marcelo Alvarez, Simon Keenlyside, Darcey Bussell, Jonathan Cope, Sylvie Guillem, Tamara Rojo and Zenaida Yanowsky. The evening also featured the Royal Opera Chorus and the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House under the batons of Charles Mackerras, Edward Downes, Barry Wordsworth and the Royal Opera House’s Music Director, Antonio Pappano. All those taking part, including the staff of the BBC, gave their services for free.

On 30 December, The Royal Opera will perform Rossini’s popular operatic crowd-pleaser Il barbiere di Siviglia, which will be broadcast live on BBC4 at 7.40pm. Mark Elder conducts with Joyce DiDonato as Rosina, Toby Spence as Count Almaviva and George Petean as Figaro.

On 8 January, also on BBC4 at 7.20pm, from the Linbury, Will Tuckett’ all-singing, all-dancing Pinocchio will be broadcast; a must for all the family.

May we also take this opportunity to wish you not only happy viewing, but a very happy Christmas and New Year from everyone at the Royal Opera House.