Opera

Sam Jackson, Controller of BBC Radio 3, has insisted disbanding the BBC Singers is not on the broadcaster’s agenda.

In his first interview since becoming Controller in April, Jackson told The Times that the BBC does not intend to renege on its u-turn on plans to close down the professional choir.

“We are exploring some really exciting plans for the BBC Singers. We’re working on on-air plans for them right into next year. The BBC Singers have a long-term future,” Jackson said.

His comments follow claims from the Musician’s Union late last month that alternative funding models were being considered for the choir.

Speaking to the Times, Jackson confirmed discussions are confidential, but “happening at pace”.

“They are very meaningful, and I wouldn’t simply be sitting here saying that to you now if there wasn’t a lot of substance,” he added.

When asked if a new funding model could mean BBC Singers does more commercial work, Jackson replied: “there could be elements of that, but it can’t be anything that reduces the distinctiveness of who they are and what they do.”

Protesters from campaign group Just Stop Oil halted an opera performance at Glyndebourne yesterday (15 June).

The BBC reports that three protesters purchased tickets for a performance of Dialogues des Carmelites at the East Sussex venue before setting off a confetti bomb and blowing an air horn an hour in.

The performance was halted for around 20 minutes while the protesters were removed from the auditorium.

A statement put out by Glyndebourne following the incident said: "We are very sorry to everyone whose visit to Glyndebourne was affected by the protest action today. 

"Our highest priority was the safety and security of everyone on site and we would like to thank our staff and performers, whose calm and professional response kept everyone safe and disruption to a minimum.

"We have formally reported the incident to the police but the police were not on site and no arrests were made."

Glyndebourne has previously committed itself to halving direct carbon emissions by 2030 and reaching net zero by 2050.