BBC and ENO take Carmen into digital age

BBC Radio and the English National Opera (ENO) have teamed up to produce the UK’s first video-streamed opera performance. BBC Radio 3 and the ENO will stream a performance of Carmen on November 3.

The production will be available online for a further seven days via the Radio 3 website. Viewers will be able to see the production from a selection of angles, including behind the stage.

Radio 3 controller Roger Wright says the station wants to explore further such initiatives in the future. He says the production allows opera to be brought to “the widest possible audience”.

The ENO has created a range of other Web content around its production of Carmen. The project forms part of ENO Interative, an online initiative using elements such as user generated content and social networking. Future content will be based around forthcoming productions of Aida and Lost Highway. ENO sponsor Sky Arts, the BSkyB-owned channel dedicated to the arts, has contributed to the initiative.

Radio 3 has previously offered broadband video footage of the Awards for World music 2007 and the station will offer video-streaming as part if its coverage of the London Jazz Festival 2007.