The BBC...that is, the British Broadcasting Corporation...is launching a new series this Saturday called Spirit Of The Arts.
Spirit Of The Arts is a new unique series of programmes which give an insight into the personal lives of four of the worlds leading operatic stars.
30 September is Renée Fleming; 7 October is Kiri Te Kanawa; 14 October is Cecilia Bartoli.
23 September
Placido Domingo is one of the worlds best-loved opera stars. His illustrious career is now well into its fifth decade, and he is still singing, recording, conducting and running two major opera houses. Born in Madrid in 1941, music was always in his blood. His parents were stars of the Zarzuela, traditional Spanish operetta, and from an early age he was surrounded by music. His family moved to Mexico when he was eight, and he entered Mexico Citys Conservatory of Music.He spent two and a half years with the Israel National Opera in Tel Aviv, before making his debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York in 1968. Since then he has performed regularly in all of the major opera houses around the world, and his repertoire has spanned 122 roles. He has established a career as a conductor, and he is also Director of both the Washington National Opera and the Los Angeles Opera. His annual opera competition, Operalia, has become one of the largest of its kind in the world, with total prizes amounting to almost $200,000.
This is on BBCWorld.
I emailed BBC World:
I note that BBC World is beginning a new series on 23 September called "Spirit of the Arts" This interests me greatly, but because I live in Britain I do not think that I can receive BBC World (I have a Sky Digital platform).I would be grateful to know whether this series will be shown in Britain - perhaps under a different title, and, if so, when. (Perhaps as part of News 24?)
Or, will it be available online as a "TV on demand" ?
Or, is it possible to receive to BBC World in Britain?
They emailed me back:
Unfortunately, BBC World is not available in the United Kingdom. You may not be aware that BBC World is owned and operated by BBC World Ltd, a commercial subsidiary of the Corporation. BBC World is a commercial channel, funded from advertising, sponsorship and subscription, receiving no income from the UK licence fee or government. As a public corporation, operating under Royal Charter, the BBC's function in the UK is as a public service broadcaster and as such its wholly owned commercial channels may not be marketed or distributed domestically.You may enjoy watching BBC World's sister channel, BBC News 24, which is one of the BBC's new licence fee funded public service channels. BBC News 24 operates on a similar basis to BBC World, with an agenda which includes more home news, and includes some of the same programmes such as 'Hardtalk', 'Talking Movies' and 'Reporters'. In addition, BBC World produces 'The World' which is shown on BBC Four each weekday at 8pm. Both channels are available on digital terrestrial, digital satellite and cable.
I am in extreme sulk.And mendicant
