What was the first opera to be broadcast on british radio ?

Hello surreymann

It was "The Magic Flute".

"January 8, 1923 The first wireless transmission of a complete opera
is accomplished by the BBC from a London concert hall. The opera is
Mozart?s Die Zauberflöte."
http://musicandhistory.com/pdf/1921-1930.pdf

"London Times, January 10, 1923, page 8:
ENTERTAINMENT  BY  WIRELESS.
THE  FUTURE  OF  THE  ELECTROPHONE.
(FROM   A   CORRESPONDENT.)
The broadcasting by wireless of grand opera performances at Covent
Garden, which was carried out for the first time on Monday, and
repeated last night, suggests two interesting questions. One is what
attitude theatrical managers and producers generally are likely to
adopt towards the innovation, and the other concerns the future of the
electrophone. "
http://earlyradiohistory.us/1923elec.htm

"8th January 1923. First OB on 2LO. Opera from Covent Garden by GPO
land line. The massive Electrodynamic (Round) mic came into use with
its enormous (6ft x 4ft x 2ft) 10 valve amplifier."
http://www.roger.beckwith.btinternet.co.uk/bh/odds/prebh.htm

" January  First BBC outside broadcast: a relay of The Magic Flute
from Covent Garden."
http://www.terramedia.co.uk/Chronomedia/years/1923.htm


I hope this is everything you needed, but please let me know if you have a query.

Best wishes for the New Year - Leli



The searches which led me there were:

opera broadcast bbc 1922 OR 1923 OR 1924 OR 1925
://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=opera+broadcast+bbc+1922+OR+1923+OR+1924+OR+1925&btnG=Search&meta=cr%3DcountryUK%7CcountryGB

"covent garden" january 8 OR 8th 1923
://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=%22covent+garden+%22++january+8+OR+8th+1923&btnG=Search&meta=

Here's a guess: Hansel & Gretel, from Covent Garden.

My source 'The Power Behind the Microphone' by P P Eckersley.

Peter Eckersley was one of the pioneers of British Broadcasting which
evidently started with broadcasts by the Marconi Company; this was
then taken over by the BBC (founded in 1922) and became 2LO.

Eckersley mentions hearing Hansel & Gretel which used 'special
microphones' developed in America.

He doesn't say when nor does he claim it to be the first opera to have
been broadcast.

But that's the best I can suggest.

Well done, Leli.

And a Happy Hogmanay!

Thank you very much, surreymann!

Glad I could help - Leli

Happy New Year, mikomoro!

Thanks for your comments.

Those early days at the BBC must have been full of excitement and idealism.

Leli