opera

This month on Spotlight Audio: Beautiful Hawaii. Using numbers in English. Opera in British pubs. Talking about Halloween. Hunting season. Telephoning at work. And much more.

Henry Purcell's "When I Am Laid in Earth" has been named the UK's favourite aria. "It's touching that it's an English rather than an Italian bel canto aria that's won the most support," said the BBC's Sara Mohr-Pietsch.

The English National Opera is staging a modern interpretation of Handel's 18th-century masterpiece. Avant-garde director Deborah Warner takes the religious oratorio and gives one of the world's greatest stories powerful new relevance.

The Sydney Opera House was opened by Elizabeth II, queen of Australia, on 20 October 1973. The architect, Jørn Utzon, was not invited to the ceremony, nor was his name mentioned. The opening included a performance of Beethoven's Symphony No. 9.