EXCLUSIVE: Sky Arts has begun what will be a big week for British TV by unveiling a pair of docs about two titans of classical music.
The Handel Scandal and Dangerous Debussy will both launch on the Sky channel and streamer Now this fall, free to households in the UK. The former comes from Factory Films while the latter is from David Harewood’s Section 52 Films.
The docs will explore the lives of classical composers George Frideric Handel and Claude Debussy and the women “whose inspiration, influence and support were crucial to the success of their most celebrated works.”
The news comes at the start of a significant week in British TV, with the final Edinburgh TV Festival set to begin tomorrow before the 51-year-old event transfers to Greater Manchester in England next year. Sky Arts often has a major presence on and off stage at the industry conference.
The Handel Scandal will look at Handel’s oratorio Messiah and its connection to disgraced English actress and singer Susannah Cibber, whose revered opening night performance was the first time she had sung in public since a sex scandal that made headlines. Operatic soprano Dianelle de Niese, who is due to star in the West End’s Hadestown, will present the doc.
Dangerous Debussy is the latest classical music doc from Section 52, with Sabina Emrit Harper the director and Homeland actor Harewood and Bill Hobbins the exec producers. It will follows the complicated life of Debussy, whose turbulent private life hid behind his compositions.
The doc will be told through relationships with the women of loved and supported him, with actor Adeel Akhtar reading letters he wrote and Debussy scholars Professor Barbara L. Kelly and Professor Caroline Rae providing insight. Pianists Pascal Rogé and Cyrill Ibrahim and soprano Eyra Norman will be involvedin specially arranged performances of Debussy’s work.
“These two additions to our autumn slate demonstrate Sky’s commitment to showcasing high-calibre and culturally enriching arts storytelling,” said Phil Edgar-Jones, Executive Director, Unscripted at Comcast-owned Sky.
“We’re proud to be championing two diverse independent UK production companies with heartfelt programming which will be free to all audiences via the Sky Arts Freeview channel.”
Edgar-Jones commissioned both docs for Cécile Frot-Coutaz, Chief Advertising and Content Officer, Sky, CEO Sky Studios. The Commissioning Editor for Sky is Benedetta Pinelli, who also executive produces both documentaries for Sky Arts.
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