Never mind the bel cantos
The concept of ‘symphonic rock’ has been long established – think of large orchestras chuntering through ‘Smoke on the Water’ or ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’. But what about operatic punk? The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra has joined up with a number of opera singers to record The Anarchy Arias, which features admirably warbly versions of iconic songs by the Sex Pistols, The Clash, The Damned and others. Asked for his opinion on this new musical hybrid, Glen Matlock, the Sex Pistols’ former bass guitarist, says that it is ‘an acquired taste’. BBC Music Magazine has yet to receive its copy. Tsk.