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Jess Gillam with... Gerald Finley

Jess Gillam sits down for a listening party with the Canadian baritone Gerald Finley. They share music by Mozart, the King's Singers, Stan Getz, Vivaldi and Stacey Kent.

Gerald Finley is one of the world’s leading operatic baritones, known for his powerful performances in dramatic opera, in recital and on the international stage, including the BBC Proms. Gerry joins Jess to talk through monumental moments in his musical career, including his time at King's College Cambridge and how he nearly joined the King's Singers, a love of jazz, what happens right before going on stage at the opera and how he craves silence when on the road. Jess also brings also music by the Danish String Quartet, Vivaldi, Stan Getz and Nadia Boulanger.

To listen on most smart speakers, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Radio 3”.

28 days left to listen

1 hour

Last on

Yesterday 17:30
BBC Radio 3

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Music Played

  • Calan

    The Tale of Two Dragons (reprise)

    Music Arranger: Patrick Rimes.

  • Maurice Ravel

    Alborada del gracioso (Miroirs)

    Orchestra: Sinfonia of London. Conductor: John Wilson.
    • Chandos.

  • Richard Wagner

    Der fliegende Holländer, Act I: Die Frist ist um

    • Decca Music Group Ltd..

  • Gregorio Allegri

    Miserere mei, Deus

    Conductor: Stephen Cleobury. Choir: Choir of King’s College, Cambridge.
    • Warner Classics.

  • Brian Wilson

    Good Vibrations

    Composer: Mike Love.
    • Capitol Records.

  • Dave Brubeck

    Take Five

    • Top Tracks.

  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    Don Giovanni - Overture

    Orchestra: London Classical Players. Conductor: Sir Roger Norrington.
    • Warner Classics.

  • Albert Hammond

    I'm a train

    Composer: Mike Hazlewood.
    • Signum Records.

  • Antonio Vivaldi

    Flute Concerto in A Minor, RV 440: III. Allegro

    Conductor: Richard Tognetti. Orchestra: Australian Chamber Orchestra.
    • Warner Classics.

  • Franz Schubert

    Die schöne Müllerin, D. 795: No. 5, Am Feierabend

    • Hyperion.

  • Franz Schubert

    Winterreise, D. 911: No. 23, Die Nebensonnen

    • Hyperion.

  • Benjamin Britten

    Let us sleep now...In paradisum from War Requiem

    Singer: Galina Pavlovna Vishnevskaya. Choir: The Bach Choir. Singer: Dietrich Fischer‐Dieskau. Choir: Highgate School Choir. Choir: London Symphony Chorus. Performer: Simon Preston. Ensemble: Melos Ensemble. Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Benjamin Britten.
    • Decca.

  • Trad.

    Stædelil

    Performer: Danish String Quartet.
    • ECM New Series.

  • Jim Tomlinson

    The Ice Hotel

    Composer: Kazuo Ishiguro. Performer: Stacey Kent.

  • Dmitry Shostakovich

    Nocturne (The Gadfly Suite, Op.97a)

    Performer: Sheku Kanneh‐Mason. Orchestra: City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Mirga Gražinytė‐Tyla.
    • DECCA.

Broadcasts

  • Sat 6 Sep 2025 17:00
    BBC Radio 3
  • Yesterday 17:30
    BBC Radio 3

Why are more young people listening to classical music?

Why are more young people listening to classical music?

20yo classical musician and presenter Jess Gillam is here to improve your playlist game.

Podcast

  • This Classical Life

    Jess Gillam hosts the music show for people who like classical and other stuff too.