Guardian to broadcast six Glyndebourne productions this season

[VodkaDilc]

The Guardian broadcasting operas; British Gas selling electricity; Marks and Spencers selling currency; Tesco selling books - this century is so confusing.

[aeolium]

I read an article some time in the past few days (can't remember where) posing the question of whether live opera was hit by the cinema relays. Glyndebourne plays to full houses anyway and so they said they were delighted that many more people are able to see their productions.

I think the complaint (by ENO) really doesn't stand up. Live cinema broadcasts of opera and drama have been the best new development in the arts in recent years imo (also, to a lesser extent, internet broadcasts) and mean that audiences that could not otherwise do so have the chance of experiencing something close to live opera/theatre. Public service broadcasting - here at least - has largely abandoned showing opera and classic drama on screen and this is an initiative that fills the gap for those outside London or who can't afford to attend theatres and opera houses, or are put off by the atmosphere. Also companies that receive public funding, like ENO, really ought to make every effort to expand their reach - they are after all English National Opera, not London Metropolitan Opera.