The week beginning 11 December 2012
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May I Heave the Envelope Please?
7:00 PM.A caper through the history of "music which the Oscars should have loved, but didn't." Presented by Steve Danby. Read more Audio
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Madama Butterfly
7:00 PM.Puccini’s opera, Madama Butterfly, set in Japan, had one of the most disastrous premieres in Italian operatic history, but the first version was certainly not the last. Michael Vinten looks into the… Read more Audio
Monday: Composer of the Week - Claude Debussy
A programme marking the 150th anniversary of the birth of Claude Debussy (1862-1918) presented by Ryan Smith.
Wednesday: May I Heave the Envelope Please?
The Academy Awards are the most prestigious awards in the film industry, but what about the great and popular songs that never won an Oscar for best song... they weren't even nominated. Steve Danby presents a light-hearted guide to the greatest songs Oscar overlooked, with special guests including Groucho Marx, Liza Minnelli, Elvis and The Beatles.
Thursday: Madama Butterfly
In 1904 this beautiful opera had one of the most disastrous premières in Italian operatic history. Puccini responded with the first of several revisions. Michael Vinten looks at the evolution of Madama Butterfly (RNZ)
Friday: The Critic's Chair
Gift recommendations through a collection of reviews from 2012.