International soprano Barbara Bonney tells the story behind what she describes as Mozart's "perfect" opera. Adapted from a revolutionary and subversive play by Beaumarchais which was banned throughout Europe, the work was an attempt by the young Mozart to make his mark in the competitive world of 18th-century Viennese court opera. Bonney explains how Emperor Joseph used the opera as a barbed message to the aristocracy, and sings passages to illustrate the emotion and wit that Mozart achieved musically. The programme also includes contributions from opera directors Jonathan Miller and Richard Eyre , and clips of performances by Bryn Terfel and Kiri Te Kanawa.
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