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Strictly judge to become the judged as BBC2's Maestro series returns Strictly judge to become the judged as BBC2's Maestro series returns
(about 1 hour later)
He is known for his fierce analysis and tough marking on Strictly Come Dancing. But now Craig Revel Horwood is opening his own performance up for criticism as he tries to master conducting in a new series of BBC2's Maestro. He is known for his fierce analysis and tough marking on Strictly Come Dancing. But now it is Craig Revel Horwood's turn to be judged as he tries to master conducting for the new series of BBC2's Maestro.
The Strictly judge will compete against the actor Josie Lawrence, the DJ Trevor Nelson and the mathematician Marcus du Sautoy for the prize of conducting one act of a performance at the Royal Opera House. The Strictly judge is up against the actor Josie Lawrence, the mathematician Marcus du Sautoy and the DJ Trevor Nelson for the prize of conducting one act of a performance at the Royal Opera House.
"I love criticism. I don't know why most other people don't. It's very, very good for you as a human being," said the choreographer, whose work has included operas. Horwood, a choreographer whose work has included operas, said: "I love criticism. I don't know why most other people don't. It's very, very good for you as a human being."
"I'm going to be serious about it. I'll need to be," he said, adding that Maestro was tougher than the BBC1 dancing show on which he is a judge. "We're not asking any of the contestants from Strictly Come Dancing to go off and do a tango tour of the world are we? Asked about Maestro, he said: "I'm going to be serious about it. I'll need to be," adding that he saw it as tougher than his usual BBC1 show: "We're not asking any of the contestants from Strictly Come Dancing to go off and do a tango tour of the world are we?"
He added that prospect of performing made him nervous.He added that prospect of performing made him nervous.
Maestro will follow the trainee conductors in three one-hour programmes as they attempt to apply their musical knowledge to conducting. The show will feature opera experts including the conductors Sir Mark Elder and Sir Antonio Pappano, and the soprano Danielle de Niese – but winner will be decided by the orchestra. Maestro will follow the trainee conductors over three one-hour shows as they attempt to apply their musical knowledge to conducting, featuring opera experts such as the conductors Sir Mark Elder and Sir Antonio Pappano, and the soprano Danielle de Niese. The winner will be decided by the orchestra.
"Anyone who knows what I do, knows this is the furthest thing away from what I normally do," said Nelson, who is more at home with R&B and soul music than opera. Nelson, who plays R&B and soul music on his Radio 2 show, said: "Anyone who knows what I do, knows this is the furthest thing away from what I normally do."
Maestro proved a ratings success for BBC2 when it was broadcasted in 2008, with the comedian Sue Perkins winning the contest. The new series focuses on opera following a new partnership between the ROH and the BBC that was announced last spring. Maestro proved a ratings success for BBC2 when it was broadcast in 2008, and was won by the comedian Sue Perkins. The new series focuses on opera, following a new partnership between the Royal Opera House and BBC was that was announced last spring.
Du Sautoy, an opera fan since he was a child, is hoping to rekindle his musical ability. "If Jimmy Saville was still here, this would be my Jim'll Fix it. I play the trumpet but I haven't played in an orchestra since I was a student. But just the thought of making music again is exciting for me," he said. Du Sautoy, an opera fan since childhood, is hoping to rekindle his musical ability. "If Jimmy Savile was still here, this would be my Jim'll Fix it. I play the trumpet but I haven't played in an orchestra since I was a student. But just the thought of making music again is exciting for me," he said.
All four contestants, who spent Tuesday night watching The Marriage of Figaro, admitted they were alarmed by the scale of the challenge ahead.All four contestants, who spent Tuesday night watching The Marriage of Figaro, admitted they were alarmed by the scale of the challenge ahead.
Royal Opera's director, Kasper Holten, did little to allay those fears. "This challenge will probably be the most difficult any of the contestants will ever face in their professional lives, but I really hope it will be one of the most fulfilling experiences they ever have," he said. Royal Opera's director, Kasper Holten, did little to allay those fears, when he said: "This challenge will probably be the most difficult any of the contestants will ever face in their professional lives, but I really hope it will be one of the most fulfilling experiences they ever have."