The Seckerson Tapes: David Alden Interview

One-time 'bad boy' of opera live, uncut, and decidedly mellower

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On the eve of his brand-new staging of Janáček's Katya Kabanova for English National Opera, David Alden  - the one-time "bad boy" of opera - talks about first-night riots, Britten and Donizetti triumphs, and the dramatic potency of Janáček. Live and uncut.

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