Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

Censorship City

Donald Macleod on how Donizetti became exasperated by the pettiness and incompetence of Naples's opera houses and felt frustrated by the attitude of the city's strict censors.

Gaetano Donizetti composed almost 70 operas in 19th-century Italy, the age of the impresario, the prima donna and the star tenor. Donald Macleod traces his extraordinary life.

As a successful composer, Donizetti was exasperated by the pettiness and incompetence of Naples' opera houses, and deeply frustrated by the attitude of the city's strict censors. When his leading lady defied them by swearing on stage, Donizetti's career hung in the balance. Featuring recordings by Anna Netrebko, Beverly Sills and Thomas Hampson.

1 hour

Music Played

  • Gaetano Donizetti

    Lucia di Lammermoor - opera seria in 3 acts

    Conductor: Claudio Abbado. Performer: Anna Netrebko. Performer: Mahler Chamber Orchestra. Performer: Milan Verdi Chorus.
    • DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON.
    • 0289 474 8002 0.
  • Gaetano Donizetti

    Requiem in D minor (In memoriam Bellini)

    Conductor: Miguel 脕ngel G贸mez Mart铆nez. Performer: Bamberg S O.. Performer: Bamberg Symphony Chorus.
    • Orfeo.
    • C172881.
  • Gaetano Donizetti

    Marino Faliero - opera

    Conductor: Miguel 脕ngel G贸mez Mart铆nez. Performer: Samuel Ramey. Performer: Thomas Hampson. Performer: Munich Radio Orchestra.
    • Teldec.
    • 13149.
  • Gaetano Donizetti

    Maria Stuarda - opera seria in 3 acts

    Conductor: Aldo Ceccato. Performer: Beverly Sills. Performer: Louis Quilico. Performer: London Philharmonic Orchestra.
    • Deutsche Grammophon.
    • 4712212.

Broadcasts

  • Wed 17 Sep 2014 12:00
  • Wed 17 Sep 2014 18:30

Vaughan Williams Today

Vaughan Williams Today

Programmes, concerts and features celebrating Vaughan Williams's 150th anniversary.

Beethoven Unleashed 鈥 the box set

Beethoven Unleashed 鈥 the box set

The complete set of Radio 3 Beethoven Unleashed podcasts, with Donald Macleod.

What was really wrong with Beethoven?

What was really wrong with Beethoven?

Georgia Mann and neurosurgeon Henry Marsh examine the composer's numerous health problems

Composers A to Z

Composers A to Z

Visit the extensive audio archive of Radio 3 programmes about Composers and their works.

Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week

Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week

The production team reflects on 5 of Donald Macleod鈥檚 best stories from the last 20 years

Five reasons why we love Parry's Jerusalem

What is the strange power of Jerusalem which makes strong men weep?

A man out of time 鈥 why Parry's music and ideas were at odds with his image...

The composer of Jerusalem was very far from the conservative figure his image suggests.

Composer Help Page

Find resources and contacts for composers from within the classical music industry.