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Opening the Boxes: a Soprano's Secrets

Michael White explores the career of the British soprano singer Jennifer Vyvyan, who died in 1974. From 2011.

What happened when music critic Michael White was asked to look at some storage boxes, packed with memorabilia of the soprano Jennifer Vyvyan?

For several months, he and her son Jonathan Crown delved through them and uncovered the fascinating story of one of Britain's most dazzling classical music stars, who died in 1974.

Michael reveals his discoveries, from the dramatic roles Jennifer pioneered for Benjamin Britten to her definitive recordings of Handel, made with Sir Thomas Beecham and Sir Adrian Boult.

The singer鈥檚 aristocratic roots are revealed, plus a controversial marriage, her championing of new music and the baroque revival - as well as a lifelong struggle against a fatal disease.

There are also archive recordings of Vyvan herself, and the recollections of her contemporaries April Cantelo, Steuart Bedford and John Copley.
Enjoy one of the most golden voices of the post-war era of British music.

Producer: Alyn Shipton

A Unique production for 成人快手 Radio 4 first broadcast in August 2011.

Available now

30 minutes

Last on

Thu 29 Jul 2021 02:30

Broadcasts

  • Thu 18 Aug 2011 11:30
  • Thu 23 Feb 2017 06:30
  • Thu 23 Feb 2017 13:30
  • Thu 23 Feb 2017 20:30
  • Fri 24 Feb 2017 01:30
  • Wed 28 Jul 2021 14:30
  • Thu 29 Jul 2021 02:30