Aria Code podcast, Yaa Gyasi's new novel, Sky drama The Flight Attendant reviewed
New opera podcast Aria Code; Yaa Gyasi on her novel Transcendent Kingdom, Husavik in Iceland's Eurovision entry, Sky drama The Flight Attendant reviewed.
The podcast âAria Codeâ from WQXR and the Metropolitan Opera aims to pull back the curtain on some of operas most well-known moments. Each episode âdecodesâ one aria, with academics and opera singers diving in to the music. But there are also a variety of unexpected guests, such as a marriage therapist talking relationships in Carmen or a former sex worker giving perspective on La Traviata. Host Rhiannon Giddens explains whatâs coming up in the third series of the podcast.
The 2020 film The Legend of Fire Saga told the story of Husavik - a plucky little village in Iceland - that wanted to send a local group to compete at The Eurovision Song Contest. They have a song ready to sing in English but decide at the last moment to swap to one which features their native tongue, even though theyâve been warned that itâll mean they wonât win. It starred Will Ferrel and Rachel McAdams and the songâs real life composer was Atli Ărvarsson (whoâs also written for Maroon 5, Ariana Grande, Ellie Goulding and many others). Now itâs Oscar nominations time and the citizens of Husavik want the ballad to their town to be nominated in the Best Original Song category shortlist.
For our Friday Review, critics Lanre Bakare and Anna Smith give their verdict on whether Skyâs The Flight Attendant takes off. Starring Kaley Cuoco of The Big Bang Theory, it tells the story of a flight attendant whose wild night out in Bangkok lands her in a very sticky situation. Michelle Gomez and Rosie Perez also star. And weâll be asking Lanre and Anna to give their suggestions for something cultural to enjoy this weekend.
The author Yaa Gyasiâs debut novel ±«Óătvgoing was a breakthrough success with its account of the impact of slavery on generations of a family. Her second, Transcendent Kingdom, has just been longlisted for the Womenâs Prize for Fiction. Itâs about opioid addiction, religion and the line between belief and science, with its story of Gifty, a scientist who is looking for ways to understand what has happened to her and her family.
Presenter: John Wilson
Producer: Julian May
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Rhiannon Giddens
Main image: Rhiannon Giddens
The Flight Attendant
The Flight Attendant streams on Sky One and Now TV from Fri 19 Mar
BlackStage UK
Yaa Gyasi
Broadcast
- Fri 12 Mar 2021 19:00±«Óătv Radio 4
±«Óătv Arts Digital
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