PRIVATE PASSIONS
‘My died singing.the God, Jewishfathertherewith This sopranowas loved prayeris Ravel’san Jewishbook, enormousJessye 1914 an cantor Norman setting Aramaicpile singing,of singing.of recordstext the and that ‘Kaddish’Theof when glorifes liturgicalfirst he from time I heard CHARLES‘My these mother songs.it I was DUMONTloved I absolutely rememberEdif‘Je ne Piaf blown regrettegoingand I to away.’was rien’see broughtPiaf Edith performPiaf up (singer)within the late husky 1950s.and powerfulShe was minutevoice. It and was had unforgettable.’a wonderful, deep PUCCINI Orchestra ‘Visiof the d’arte’ Royal from Opera Tosca House/carloMaria Callas Felice (soprano),Cillario
‘I went to first-night opera galas at Covent Garden with my father. The Maria Callas evening was one that stood out because of the glamour. Ladies in those days had furs and jewellery, with satin and long gloves. When Callas came on the audience screamed. She had this wonderful red velvet dress which we’ve always associated with Tosca.’ R STRAUSS An Alpine Symphony Saito Kinen Orchestra/daniel Harding
‘I was blown away the first time I went to the Salzburg Festival. I had to sit right at the back and I had a view of the enormous orchestra. I was fascinated by all the unusual instruments in the Alpine Symphony, such as alphorns and cowbells. WAGNER ‘Hochsten heiles Wunder’ from Parsifal Bayreuth Festival Orchestra/pierre Boulez
‘I was, like most people, very frightened of Wagner. But I fell in love with him quite late and I had three or four wonderful visits to Bayreuth. These days I’d rather be at home in comfort with a record.’ Private Passions is on Radio 3 every Sunday at 12 noon and is also available to download as a podcast.