A Time of Change

Zeinab Badawi meets Sir Antonio Pappano as he ends his celebrated tenure as Music Director of the Royal Opera House after the 2023/24 season to become Music Director of the London Symphony Orchestra. Sir Antonio has railed against the prevailing perception of opera as elitist, saying it is 'a misconception that totally distorts the image of opera'. He has conducted almost the entire Italian and French repertoires, a good part of the Russian, plus Wagner, Strauss and contemporary works; Zeinab goes behind-the-scenes with Tony and his cast at rehearsals of Massenet's Werther to explore the state of opera. Sir Tony has supported and nurtured young talent throughout his illustrious career. Zeinab speaks to top tenor Jonas Kaufmann about their long working partnership and how he is constantly learning from Tony and hears from Russian Mezzo-soprano Aigul Akhmetshina and South African soprano Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha about why he is such an inspiration to them. Born in London to Italian immigrant parents, Sir Antonio Pappano comes from a modest background, and tells Zeinab why he believes opera is an art form that can and should be enjoyed by everyone from all walks of life.