This autumn, in collaboration with the V&A and Royal Opera House, the BBC will embark upon a season of opera programming featuring new films, documentaries, performances and special projects across BBC Two, BBC Four, Radio 3 and BBC Arts Digital. 

These major cultural institutions have come together with the shared vision to engage a wider audience with opera and to enthuse a new generation of opera lovers.

The season has been in development for the past three years and will take audiences behind the scenes to explore the social, political and historical context of major works. It will place world-class performances centre stage on screens and radio airways, give new insights into the form through the world’s greatest living opera stars, explore the emotive power of the art form and see opera companies from across the UK coming together for the first time with BBC Arts for an online celebration of British, European and global performance.

Jonty Claypole, Director of BBC Arts, says: "We are thrilled to be collaborating with the V&A, ROH, major cultural institutions and leading opera companies from across the UK, to place opera centre stage at the BBC this autumn.

"Audiences will have the opportunity to experience and explore one of the most exhilarating and irresistible of all art forms across BBC Radio, TV and digital platforms, and together with our partners we will look to create a nationwide moment for opera, engaging ever larger audiences and inspiring the next generation of opera lovers."