Take Me to the Opera

Culture lover Zeinab Badawi talks to two of the biggest names in opera today: Italian mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli and tenor Juan Diego Florez. She hears how Cecilia is pushing the boundaries in a traditional man's world. And she talks to Peruvian-born tenor Juan about how he uses his Latin American flair and showmanship to attract new audiences to his music.

How do new music artists tackle the very traditional culture of opera? Zeinab meets two sublime young stars who are grappling with this new world. South African soprano Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha believes black performers are more accepted than in previous decades, but more needs to be done. French tenor Benjamin Bernheim is worried about the impact of social media on young singers.

Zeinab Badawi explores what is in store for opera as it embraces greater diversity and innovations. She talks to two established leading lights, Italian mezzo Cecilia Bartoli and Peruvian-born tenor Juan Diego Florez, and two rising opera stars who are fast establishing their careers as names of the future, South African soprano Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha and French tenor Benjamin Bernheim.