February 8, 2013, by Fraser
The BBC’s opera man…
Nottingham ‘s Nick Baragwanath, Associate Professor in the Music Department, has been appearing on BBC Radio 3 recently to talk about his passion for opera and to share his thoughts on why it still has the power to move us.
He was the guest for a broadcast of Verdi’s Simon Boccanegra on 10 Jan and has recorded podcast Opera Guides for eight more of Verdi’s operas. He can be heard discussing the latest opera releases on CD Review on Saturday 16 February.
Working for the BBC…
The BBC initially asked me to talk about a fairly obscure French opera, which I knew very little about. But this seemed too good an opportunity to miss – the chance to speak about opera to such a large audience – so I did a bit of revision (with helpful pointers from my more expert colleague Sarah Hibberd!) and appeared on the show. Since then, I’ve featured in programmes on Verdi, Wagner, and Bizet, which are slightly closer to my own areas of expertise.
My research actually centres on the ways that musicians were trained in the 18th and 19th centuries, and the significance of their methods to composition and performance. Apprentice opera composers usually came from the lower classes, often as orphans or foundlings. They started at the age of eight and by their early teens could improvise fugues or sonatas at the piano and rattle off an aria in a matter of minutes. They needed to work fast to compete in the profession. Such rapid progress was achieved not through books but through practice. Like modern pop or rock musicians, Bellini, Verdi, and many others learnt their craft through playing and singing. Understanding this can lead to a deeper appreciation of the skill and artistry that underpins many a popular tune.
I’ve found that practical skills and quick thinking are also essential for working on BBC radio. There is no prepared script or even an agreed set of questions. I simply sit in a booth with headphones on and hope to catch each question off the bat! This can lead to mildly embarrassing slips and stumbles, but I suppose it does keep you on your toes and add a bit of pep to the conversation…
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