Welcome to The Pilot Series, where every episode is a pilot for a new podcast. This episode features Collectors' Notes, the podcast about music superfans.

In this debut episode, host Elly Young speaks to David, an opera fanatic and all-round fabulously funny man. A passion that was sparked aged fourteen has kept burning for over fifty years – David has a huge collection of recordings and goes to the opera every week! He tells Elly why classical Italian opera is so unique, the emotions it ignites within him, and why a physical collection is still special. Even if you can’t tell your Pavarotti from your Puccini, or your tenors from your Turandot, you’ll love this. Elly also hears from music psychologists Professor Eric Clarke and Dr Ruth Herbert on why music moves us all. Plus David reveals the secrets of his past as a diva drag queen! From opening note to final curtain call, join Elly as she explores the wonderful world of opera through David’s ears.

And to help you discover more, David’s curated a starter playlist of his favourites: from Verdi to Wagner, Aida to The Magic Flute. It’s a parade of drama and superstar sopranos! Click here: https://tinyurl.com/eh4c5whp 

If you are a curious music fan, listen and subscribe to Collectors’ Notes today. And when you’ve finished listening, why not leave a review and let us know what new music you’ve discovered?

Produced by: Chloe Sackur, Hannah Grieve, Elly Young and Taye Woolnough.

Special thanks to our performers, Marta Fontanals-Simmons and Tris Bracey, as well as Joseph Taylor. Further music from Uppbeat.

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