If you have even a passing interest in classical music, and opera in particular, you cannot afford to go past Channel 4’s Operatunity. Screened in 2003, this two disc compendium of a high-brow version of the Idol-type talent shows is entrancing vision. An initial 100 undiscovered, aspiring opera singers compete for a chance to sing ‘for one night only’ with the English National Opera (ENO). The first three episodes quickly whittle through the hopefuls, until the final two are left. 

There really isn’t much more to say about this show. It’s just good viewing, but only if you like the music. If you don’t, I caution you to stay away. Some opera purists might be turned off by the news that the ENO performs works only in English and so hopelessly beautiful arias we instantly recognise are rendered in English. This is only a minor problem for me, because getting amateur singers to sing in Italian, German or whatever it be for the purposes of a reality TV show is an unnecessary burden. The disc also contains a follow-up episode about the lives of the winners after their big night, plus extended footage (close to two hours) of the big performance. 

I enjoyed myself watching this and the strongest point is the warmth and strength of both the competitors and the crew from ENO who shepherded them along the arduous learning curve. One minor drawback would possibly be the sound on the disc, which is only stereo. Surely in this context, 5.1 DTS would be fantastic! 

Felix Staica