Gareth Malone, star of BBC Two's The Choir, takes on one of his biggest challenges to date, joining the production team at Glyndebourne in the role of youth chorus leader on his first opera.
Over two months Gareth auditions 450 teens, whittling them down to a final 100 who must sing solo in front of a Glyndebourne panel. The final 50 chorus members are chosen, but how will they cope with the demands of learning a two-hour opera and performing it onstage at Glyndebourne in six months' time?
In the second programme Gareth has his chorus of 50 teens. To prepare them for their time at Glyndebourne, Gareth takes his chorus to the Royal Opera House to see Puccini's La Boheme. Many know absolutely nothing about opera - it's an inspiring experience. Gareth has only six weeks of music rehearsals to teach his chorus the music and get them singing to Glyndebourne's high standards. But the music is hard. Gareth begins individual tuition with 18-year-old Stefan, the one male reserve. Stefan is fully committed and Gareth wants to see him on stage at the end, but is his singing strong enough? Two weeks in, rehearsals move on to the set. But the chorus aren't ready and miss their cues. Worried his conducting may be to blame, Gareth has a lesson from conductor Nicholas Collon. Like Stefan, 15-year-old Kiya lacks confidence with her singing, and Gareth gives her individual tuition. As the pressure increases, the boys start to lose interest - they mess around, some skive and a few leave. 16-year-old Korrel is one of the boys playing truant. Gareth tries to keep him on board as his attendance worsens. As music rehearsals draw to a close, Gareth takes his chorus to perform to Gus Christie, the owner of Glyndebourne, in the Organ Room of the old house.
After rehearsing in a studio for two months, the Knight Crew company moves onto the main stage at Glyndebourne for the first time. Rehearsals continue with John Fulljames, director, blocking out scenes on set, and Nicholas Collon conducting in the pit. Unfortunately Gareth's young chorus cannot be heard at the back of the auditorium and he has his work cut out teaching them in the wings during breaks in rehearsals. As Knight Crew chorus master, Gareth is in charge of three choruses and he needs to find 15 mums to sing in the Mothers' Chorus. Who better than the mothers of his teenage chorus? After ringing around, a few mums are willing to have a go. Desi wants his mum Karen to get in, but is her voice good enough? As opening night looms there is a chance for a girl from the Knight Crew chorus to sing solo. Gareth holds auditions and picks 17-year- old Elsie, who has no experience and has never had a singing lesson in her life. It is a life-changing opportunity. After three music rehearsals the mums sing on stage for the first time and fall to pieces. Conductor Nick pans their performance, calling it 'musical carnage'. Gareth is under fire too when he conducts the backstage choruses and it goes wrong. It is the big night and nerves are high. The Knight Crew chorus must now step up to the plate and see if Gareth's months of training and nurturing can ultimately come good.
