Synopsis
Michael Portillo explores his passion for Richard Wagner's Ring cycle, a monumental : and controversial : operatic masterpiece in four parts which took the composer 26 years to complete. The Bavarian State Opera rehearse their roles in Rheingold, the first in the sequence, and conductors Zubin Mehta and Pierre Boulez discuss the difficulties faced by orchestra and singers alike as they perform the epic music drama, and assess the themes embraced in Wagner's work.
Aylesbury Prison: Episode 2 | The Choir
With just three weeks to go, Gareth has only seven performers and a handful of half-baked songs. Gareth is still hoping to get a performance together but in prison things never go to plan.
Aylesbury Prison: Episode 1 | The Choir
Gareth Malone faces a challenge which will test him like no other - to form a choir in one of the toughest prisons for young offenders. What he learns takes him by surprise.