Vaughan Williams - The Stage Works

Synopsis: In the third episode of the radio series exploring the life and works of Vaughan Williams, presenter Donald Macleod explores the composer’s Shakespeare opera - Sir John in Love, and his Elizabethan and Tudor themed songs, O Mistress Mine, Six Studies in English Folk Song, The Tunning of Elinor Rumming. According to BBC Programme information, the programme discusses whether "the composer may have lacked a commercial edge, given that his private wealth meant he could ‘indulge his fancy’ in writing operas without having to worry if they did badly at the box office? While Sir John in Love had been germinating in his mind since his stint at the RSC as a musical director in 1913, his Five Tudor Portraits were suggested to him by Elgar, who recommended Skelton’s verse to him as ‘pure jazz’."
Series: Composer of the Week
Language: English
Country: Great Britain
Medium: Radio
Transmission details: 23 Nov 2010 at 12:00 (Channel: BBC Radio 3)
Duration: 60 mins

Music

Contributor

Cast

Production type: Operas and Musicals
Plays: Merry Wives of Windsor, The
Subjects: Drama; Music
Keywords: opera; Shakespeare, William (1564-1616); Verdi, Giuseppe (1813-1901); musical adaptations; Falstaff

SHAKESPEARE