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Lance Corporal Simpson

'She gave me a lifeline in my darkest hour' - Lance Corporal Simpson talking about the producer of The Two Worlds of Charlie F

Lance Corporal Maurillia Simpson tells the extraordinary story of how she left the theatre of war and ended up on a real stage, and is now in a play called The Two Worlds of Charlie F. Plus, we find out how composer Mica Levi got Under The Skin of her first film soundtrack.

The celebrated American mezzo soprano Dolora Zajick reveals some of the vocal techniques that have made her a world famous exponent of Verdi鈥檚 dramatic roles. DJ Edu explains why breaking Africa has replaced breaking America as the musician鈥檚 Holy Grail. Two kings of dance, Robert Bolle and Marcello Gomez, explain why the buzz of ballet beats the pain.

Singer and composer Laura Mvula and the Grammy award-winning composer Eric Whitacre, discuss the magic effects of choral singing. We meet the pupils of Afghanistan鈥檚 ground breaking National Institute of Music who are building peace with their music. And, Andrew Feinstein reports from Johannesburg on the forthcoming film exposing a multi-million dollar arms deal made by the ANC and its subsequent cover up.

Presented by Nikki Bedi.

(Photo: Lance Corporal Simpson, Eric Whitacre (c) Marc Royce, Laura Mvula (c) Anthony Harvey/Getty Images)

50 minutes

Last on

Sun 30 Mar 2014 21:06GMT

Music and featured items

  • The Two Worlds of Charlie F

    Lance Corporal Simpson talks about her part in a play created by injured soldiers

    Duration: 08:58

  • Afghan Youth Orchestra and Choir

    We visit the first orchestra to be formed in Afghanistan in the last thirty years

    Duration: 04:03

  • The Kings of the Dance

    John Wilson talks to principal dancers Roberto Bolle and Marcelo Gomes

    Duration: 03:19

  • Eric Whitacre and Laura Mvula

    The two musicians talks to Sean Rafferty

    Duration: 06:38

  • This Is New Africa

    Why are UK artists of African heritage returning to the continent to make their music?

    Duration: 07:29

  • Dolora Zajick

    The mezzo-soprano talks to Terry Gross about her career

    Duration: 07:13

  • Shadow World

    A South African author and filmmaker is shooting a movie that looks at the arms trade

    Duration: 05:07

  • Mica Levi

    The composer talks about her filmscore for Under The Skin

    Duration: 06:39

  • Afghan Youth Orchestra

    Traditional Afghan Music

  • Eric Whitacre

    Leonardo Dreams of His Flying Machine

  • Dizzy & Dizzy

    Jekin Jekin

  • Ludwig Minkus

    Don Quixote

    Music Arranger: John Lanchbery.
  • Maurillia Simpson

    I Sing Because I'm Happy

    Lyricist: Charles Hutchinson Gabriel. Lyricist: Civilla Durfee Martin.
  • Tony Allen

    Crazy Afrobeat

  • Laura Mvula

    Sing to the Moon

  • James Newton Howard

    Soundtrack of The Bourne Identity

  • The O鈥橨ays

    For the Love of Money

  • Ice Prince

    I Swear

  • Giuseppe Verdi

    O Don Fatale!

    Performer: Dolora Zajick.
  • Giuseppe Verdi

    Macbeth Overture

    Performer: Dolora Zajick.
  • Micachu & the Shapes

    Golden Phone

"Singing is connected to my body"

"Singing is connected to my body"

Dolora Zajick, the mezzo-soprano discovered opera as a 22-year-old pre-med student. She took "a crack at a singing career" and has been at the Metropolitan Opera for 25 years. Now she's helping emerging singers.

Image copyright David Sauer

Broadcast

  • Sun 30 Mar 2014 21:06GMT