Category: NE & Cumbria TV
Date: 07.02.2005
Printable version
Inside Out, 91Èȱ¬ ONE NE & Cumbria, Monday 7 February, 7.30pm
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Two years ago Sir Thomas Allen hit the headlines by claiming that sex was being used to sell music.
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The Seaham-born opera singer is speaking out again about his fight against what he sees as cultural decline in an exclusive interview in tonight's Inside Out on 91Èȱ¬ ONE (North East & Cumbria).
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"I think culture is done down dirty - and I think it needs more respect than that. It is bigger than we realise and we will only realise that if it's gone one day and it's disappeared from our lives," says Sir Thomas.
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Sir Thomas' comments come as he prepares to take six of Europe's most promising young singers through a week-long intensive coaching deep in the Cumbrian countryside.
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"There is cultural decline everywhere... I think the Government is at fault - it's as simple as that... it would be good to see a Prime Minister with something other than an electric guitar," says Sir Thomas.
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The week has been organised by The Samling Foundation from Hexham, which aims to bring together outstanding young artists with the best in the world.
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It culminates in a show at St Cuthbert's Church in Carlisle.
The show is a success - and a sell-out.
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For one of the young singers, Ben, it's been "a very humbling experience"; for another it's been "one of the best weeks of my life".
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Notes to Editors
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Inside Out is broadcast on 91Èȱ¬ ONE in the North East & Cumbria and across the UK on digital satellite channel 945.
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Inside Out is presented by Chris Jackson.
