Programme Information

BBC Radio 2 In Concert

Thursday 20 May

8.00-10.00pm BBC RADIO 2

New Zealand singer-songwriter and Crowded House front-man Neil Finn

Crowded House perform an exclusive show for BBC Radio 2, live from London's Mermaid Theatre, and are interviewed by Johnnie Walker.

The current incarnation of Crowded House features Neil Finn, Nick Seymour, Mark Hart and Matt Sherrod, who replaced original drummer Paul Hester after his death in 2005. Tonight they perform classic hits alongside tracks from their new album, Intriguer.

Their 2007 album, Time On Earth, was the first from the band in over a decade but they are already back with the new album and a European and North American tour.

Johnnie Walker presents BBC Radio 2 In Concert with regular features including the Gig Guide, Gig Review, Support Slot and a listener's choice of Classic Live Album.

Presenter/Johnnie Walker

BBC Radio 2 Publicity

To top

Sir Tim Rice continues to celebrate the musical heritage of America

Sir Tim Rice continues to celebrate the musical heritage of the United States, and this week reaches Utah.

Artists featured include The Osmonds, Johnny Mercer, Dinah Shore, Art Lund, Ned Miller and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

Presenter/Sir Tim Rice, Producers/Anthony Cherry and Ruth Beazley

BBC Radio 2 Publicity

As part of the BBC's A Passion For Opera, Afternoon On 3 will be featuring complete operas on Thursday afternoons until the start of the Proms in July. Today's work is truly international in scope: a Dutch performance of a romantic Italian opera set in the Austrian alps.

When an opera ends with its two leading characters falling to their deaths in an avalanche it's no surprise that it's rarely seen on stage. But La Wally, by Puccini's contemporary Alfredo Catalani, contains some glorious music, including an aria popular from recitals and film scores. Leading Dutch dramatic soprano Eva Maria Westbroek takes the title role, with top Swedish tenor Mats Carlsson as her doomed lover. The opera is introduced by Louise Fryer.

The Netherlands Radio Chorus and the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra are conducted by Giuliano Carella.

Presenter/Louise Fryer, Producer/Mark Lowther

BBC Radio 3 Publicity

To top

On 20 May 1845 Lord Franklin's ships the Erebus and Terror cleared the mouth of the Thames on their voyage to find the Northwest Passage.

A traditional song recounts the story "of Franklin and his gallant crew" and, through this, Julian May explores their fateful – indeed fatal – voyage, and reveals how folk song, as well as being beautiful and inspiring, can be history.

Presenter and Producer/Julian May

BBC Radio 3 Publicity

In today's programme, Neil MacGregor outlines the imperial ambitions of Han Dynasty China as described through a beautiful lacquer cup.

In a week of programmes exploring the nature of power and the emergence of new rulers around the world 2,000 years ago, Neil MacGregor takes listeners to Han Dynasty China. He tells the story of how the Chinese maintained loyalty and control by dispensing luxury gifts.

He describes the world of the imperial Han through an exquisite lacquer wine cup that was probably given by the emperor to one of his military commanders in North Korea.

Historian Roel Sterckx underlines the importance of lacquer for the period, while writer Isabel Hilton looks at how the production of goods under state control has remained a consistent interest of the Chinese.

Presenter/Neil MacGregor, Producers/Philip Sellars, Paul Kobrak, Anthony Denselow and Jane Lewis

BBC Radio 4 Publicity

To top

When a heartbreaking memoir about life in war-torn Kabul lands on her desk, Emma thinks she's discovered a new literary sensation. Her colleagues, though, are deeply sceptical.

Cinders is a comedy by Ali Taylor about drawing the line. Emma is played by Claudie Blakley, best known for her roles as Emma Timmins in Larkrise To Candleford, and as Charlotte in Pride And Prejudice.

Other cast members are Michael Shelford, Vineeta Rishi, Lizzy Watts, Sam Dale, Alison Pettitt, Imran Khan and David Seddon.

Producer/Jessica Dromgoole

BBC Radio 4 Publicity

5 Live Sport

Thursday 20 May

7.00-10.30pm BBC RADIO 5 LIVE

Eleanor Oldroyd has all the day's sports news and, from 7.45pm, live coverage of the second League Two play-off semi-final second-leg match.

From 9.30pm Eleanor is joined by guests from the world of rugby for 5 Live Rugby.

Presenter/Eleanor Oldroyd

BBC Radio 5 Live Publicity

Former Delgados singer Emma Pollock joins Steve Lamacq at his round table to chat about her new album, The Law Of Large Numbers, and to review some of this week's interesting new releases.

Presenter/Steve Lamacq, Producer/Paul Sheehan

BBC 6 Music Publicity

To top

Leeds four-piece (and Steve Lamacq favourite) ¡Forward Russia! plus Edinburgh's Beta Band are both in concert, augmented by session tracks from Glasgow's The Pastels; Scottish folk group The Humblebums (who count Billy Connolly and Gerry Rafferty among their former members); Saxon Sound System DJ Papa Levi, who worked with Aswad and Maxi Priest; and Washington DC's drone rockers Trans Am.

Presenter/Gideon Coe, Producer/Mark Sheldon

BBC 6 Music Publicity

To top

The Live Music Hour features Phil Lynott's last band, Grand Slam, live in Great Yarmouth in 1984.

Presenter/Chris Hawkins, Producer/Claire Slevin

BBC 6 Music Publicity