The current series of The South Bank Show continues on Sunday 9 March with a film following opera director David McVicar as he develops his new production of Richard Strauss’ Salome at Covent Garden, from conception through to opening night.
The rising star of the international opera circuit, David McVicar is one of those rare opera directors whose work is both spectacular and intellectually coherent. His recent productions of Faust, The Magic Flute, Rigoletto and Marriage of Figaro at Covent Garden have all caused a stir, both critically for their excellence and in the popular press for the flamboyance of their staging. His Giulio Cesare has been the hottest ticket at Glyndebourne for the past two years and his production of Turn Of The Screw at the English National Opera has just won The South Bank Show Award for Opera this year. McVicar’s productions have the reputation of always giving a new perspective to the composer’s work.
His new production of Salome is one of the most eagerly anticipated operatic events of 2008. The South Bank Show has been following this volatile and brilliant director for nearly two years (the lead-time for a production in a major opera house) as he has developed his ideas for the production.
Film maker Nigel Wattis enjoyed unprecedented access to production meetings where McVicar revealed that his visual reference for the production is the banned film, Salo’s 120 Days Of Sodom. From early controversy and rehearsals to access behind the scenes on the opening night at Covent Garden, this is an intimate and revealing film.
Presented and edited by Melvyn Bragg
Filmed, produced and directed by Nigel Wattis.
Sunday 9 March 2008 11:10pm - 12:10am on ITV1.
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