He arrived at the head of a venerated cultural institution at one of the most critical moments of its 300-year history, as the Paris Opera grappled with a pandemic, prolonged strikes and ethical questions about diversity both on and off the stage. Yet its director Alexander Neef is not one to shy away from a challenge. He joins us in the studio to tell us about the upcoming season of live performances after a turbulent year at the helm.
We also discuss the need to open up opera to new audiences and how to break down the barriers that can keep the uninitiated from crossing its threshold.
Plus Neef tells us about the importance of increasing diversity and representation within the Paris Opera, after he commissioned a report investigating claims of racism within the institution.
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