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Engelbert Humperdinck on 50 years in music

Singer Engelbert Humperdinck on his long career, Dutch animator Michael Dudok de Wit on The Red Turtle, new Welsh opera Y Twr (The Tower), and literary festivals with F-ratings.

50 years since his hit single 'Release Me', veteran singer Engelbert Humperdinck discusses his long career and his new album, which combines his greatest hits with two new tracks.

We visit the London studio of Michaël Dudok de Wit, the award winning Dutch animator, to see him in action and talk about his feature film debut The Red Turtle. Produced by Japan's Studio Ghibli and created by a team of French animators lead by Dudok de Wit, The Red Turtle was the only 2-D animated feature to be Oscar nominated at this year's Academy Awards.

Here's a rare thing, a new opera - in Welsh. Y Twr (The Tower) has it's world premier on Friday. Front Row drops in on a rehearsal to talk to the composer Guto Puw and librettist Gwyneth Glyn about their adaptation of one the most important Welsh plays of the 20th century. And Caryl Hughes and Gwion Thomas speak of their delight at having the opportunity, at last, of singing an opera in their mother tongue.

Plus, following on from the success of F-rating films, seven events at the Bath Literary Festival use the F-rating in their brochure for the first time. Festival Director Alex Clark explains the thinking behind promoting cultural events that celebrate the female experience.

Available now

30 minutes

Chapters

  • Engelbert Humperdinck

    Duration: 07:48

  • Alex Clarke

    Duration: 03:44

  • The Red Turtle

    Duration: 08:03

  • Y Twr

    Duration: 07:51

Engelbert Humperdinck

Engelbert Humperdinck

new album, 50: The Legend Continues, and a newÌýbox set: The Complete Decca Studio AlbumsÌýareÌýout on 19 May 2017.

Images:

Main image above: Engelbert Humperdinck

Image credit: Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Image to the left: Engelbert Humperdinck with Samira Ahmed

F-rating literary festivals

F-rating literary festivals

Bath Literature Festival is part of which runs from 19 - 28 May 2017.

Ìý

Image: Alex Clarke, Artistic Director of Words and Literature of The Bath Festival.Ìý<?xml:namespace prefix = "o" ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

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Image credit: Mark Vessey

The Red Turtle

The Red Turtle

The Red Turtle, an animated film directed by Michael Dudok de Wit, is in UK cinemas from 26 May 2017, certificate PG.

Image: Michael Dudok de Wit with Samira Ahmed

Welsh opera Y Twr

Welsh opera Y Twr

(The Tower)Ìýan operaÌýby Music Theatre Wales/Theatr Genedlaethol is performed in Welsh, with English surtitles.Ìý Its tour visits:

29 - 20 May 2017: Cardiff Sherman TheatreÌýÌýÌý

23 May: Aberystwyth Arts CentreÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý

25 May: Bangor PontiÌý

05 June: Theatr Clywd, MoldÌýÌýÌýÌý

15 June: Taliesin Arts Centre,ÌýSwanseaÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý

17 July: Buxton Opera HouseÌý

Image: Gwion Thomas (Left) and Caryl Hughes in rehearsal

Image credit: Lleucu Meinir/Theatre Wales/Theatr Genedlaethol

Ìý

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Credits

Role Contributor
Interviewed Guest Engelbert Humperdinck
Interviewed Guest Michael Dudok de Wit
Interviewed Guest Guto Puw
Interviewed Guest Gwyneth Glyn
Interviewed Guest Caryl Hughes
Interviewed Guest Gwion Thomas
Interviewed Guest Alex Clark

Broadcast

  • Thu 18 May 2017 19:15

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