at monte carlo 0pera. as artistic director, cecelia sees how technology rushed in to save the day during lockdowns making operatic performances available online for millions to enjoy. we had to start more with using technology and using streaming, for instance. during lockdowns, opera singers had to embrace new ways of performing. the popular peruvian born tenor, juan diego florez, sang in an empty theatre at the state opera house, in vienna. such concerts were streamed and broadcast. could this become a permanent way of bringing opera to wider audiences? well, singing to the masses isjuan diego s blood.
they used to be called the money notes. - you had to sing those high c s and if you didn t, the whole - performance was ruined. juan diego s status as one of the world s leading tenors has earned him great admiration. and he comes to the stage at the royal opera house to give masterclasses to aspiring opera stars. this high note is here, yeah? it s not here, it s not here. but it s not here either, it s in the middle. when you give a masterclass and hear different singers, you already know, when you have listened to them, who might become a superstar 01’ an opera singer. and you already know who won t.
they used to be called the money notes. you have to sing those and if you didn t the whole performance was ruined. it was on the stage here at the royal opera house that juan diego florez made one of his early appearances in a performance of la fille du regiment and he says he was so overcome with nerves that he had to get in touch with one very famous italian tenor. before coming on stage, i called pavarotti, literally on the wing, i called pavarotti and said i needed some reassurance. maestro, you did this famous aria in the 70s here, ijust wanted to hear your voice so i get some assurance and confidence. he said, you will be fine, you will be great, go for it. i said, thank you, maestro. just as the late, great italian tenor luciano pavarotti was his hero, juan diego commands great respect with the younger generation.
the popular peruvian born tenorjuan diego florez. during lockdown he had to adapt to new ways of singing opera in empty theatre halls, in concerts streamed and broadcast. like this one of faust by gounod. could streaming become a permanent way of bringing opera to wider audiences?
now on bbc news, zeinab badawi talks to two of the biggest names in opera today. i ve been an opera fan for decades and i want to share my passion with you so i m on a mission to tell you about some of the names in opera who are making it fit for the future. superstar cecilia bartoli is the italian mezzo soprano who originally wanted to be a flamenco dancer. and peruvian born tenor juan diego florez is an icon but he wanted to become a pop star. big names today but are they prepared for the opera world of tomorrow? we had to start more with using technology and using streaming, for instance. it s a beautiful art and if more and more young people come to the theatre and enjoy that, it s a magical world.