Alexandra Wilson
@amwilson.bsky.social
Academic | Author | Cultural commentator
Opera. Classical music. Cultural history. The state of the arts today.
Opera. Classical music. Cultural history. The state of the arts today.
Pinned
Alexandra Wilson
@amwilson.bsky.social
· Jul 11
My author copies arrived! This is my sixth book and the one of which I am most proud: a sweeping history of the British relationship with opera over the last century.
Available in 🇺🇸 this month, on Kindle immediately, and in 🇬🇧 and Europe in October.
global.oup.com/academic/pro...
Available in 🇺🇸 this month, on Kindle immediately, and in 🇬🇧 and Europe in October.
global.oup.com/academic/pro...
Reposted by Alexandra Wilson
Looking forward to talking WAGNER on Friday! With music from soprano Valerija Iljin and pianist Daniel Silcock, at the National Opera Studio.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wagners-wo...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wagners-wo...
Wagner's Women
An exploration of the development of Richard Wagner's early operatic heroines.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 9:47 AM
Looking forward to talking WAGNER on Friday! With music from soprano Valerija Iljin and pianist Daniel Silcock, at the National Opera Studio.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wagners-wo...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wagners-wo...
Reposted by Alexandra Wilson
I am told shipments of my book are on their way by air/sea from the US, as OUP try to meet demand, which has exceeded their expectations. A reprint is also now underway. The key message is, if you want this for Christmas, ORDER IT NOW. It's had glowing reviews.
Also available on Kindle immediately.
Also available on Kindle immediately.
This book means more to me than any other book I have written. I want to get copies into the hands of everyone who cares about opera or is interested in the broader cultural history of our country.
Please consider buying a copy. Thank you. 🙏
global.oup.com/academic/pro...
Please consider buying a copy. Thank you. 🙏
global.oup.com/academic/pro...
November 4, 2025 at 4:37 PM
I am told shipments of my book are on their way by air/sea from the US, as OUP try to meet demand, which has exceeded their expectations. A reprint is also now underway. The key message is, if you want this for Christmas, ORDER IT NOW. It's had glowing reviews.
Also available on Kindle immediately.
Also available on Kindle immediately.
Guidelines for the next REF are not out yet but it would be unethical for any university to try to submit the publications of an academic whom they have made redundant. Laying someone off to save money and then exploiting their work for financial gain is immoral. /
nation.cymru/news/victimi...
nation.cymru/news/victimi...
'Victimised' academic says Cardiff University should not use his work in research excellence submission
Martin Shipton A retired academic who believes he was victimised by Cardiff University says it would be unethical for the university to use his publications as part of its submission to be validated a...
nation.cymru
November 9, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Guidelines for the next REF are not out yet but it would be unethical for any university to try to submit the publications of an academic whom they have made redundant. Laying someone off to save money and then exploiting their work for financial gain is immoral. /
nation.cymru/news/victimi...
nation.cymru/news/victimi...
Reposted by Alexandra Wilson
Not enough attention is being paid to the effective closure of the bulk of one of the 2 or 3 most important public archives for modern British history. A terrible own goal for the BBC as a public-service agency.
WAC wrong-headedness
(that's the BBC Written Archives Centre)
I've brought together the key links for the campaign against the changes which now make independent and exploratory research at WAC impossible - and why this matters.
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/wac-wrong-he...
(that's the BBC Written Archives Centre)
I've brought together the key links for the campaign against the changes which now make independent and exploratory research at WAC impossible - and why this matters.
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/wac-wrong-he...
WAC wrong-headedness - Illuminations
John Wyver writes: Some of you will know that I have been very involved over the past months with attempts to reverse the wrong-headed changes to access at the BBC Written Archives Centre (above, with...
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk
November 7, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Not enough attention is being paid to the effective closure of the bulk of one of the 2 or 3 most important public archives for modern British history. A terrible own goal for the BBC as a public-service agency.
Reposted by Alexandra Wilson
One of our students has created a petition. Please sign and share: www.change.org/p/stop-the-s...
November 6, 2025 at 5:27 PM
One of our students has created a petition. Please sign and share: www.change.org/p/stop-the-s...
I am told shipments of my book are on their way by air/sea from the US, as OUP try to meet demand, which has exceeded their expectations. A reprint is also now underway. The key message is, if you want this for Christmas, ORDER IT NOW. It's had glowing reviews.
Also available on Kindle immediately.
Also available on Kindle immediately.
This book means more to me than any other book I have written. I want to get copies into the hands of everyone who cares about opera or is interested in the broader cultural history of our country.
Please consider buying a copy. Thank you. 🙏
global.oup.com/academic/pro...
Please consider buying a copy. Thank you. 🙏
global.oup.com/academic/pro...
November 4, 2025 at 4:37 PM
I am told shipments of my book are on their way by air/sea from the US, as OUP try to meet demand, which has exceeded their expectations. A reprint is also now underway. The key message is, if you want this for Christmas, ORDER IT NOW. It's had glowing reviews.
Also available on Kindle immediately.
Also available on Kindle immediately.
I saw this in action. I built up my research profile and thought that would save me if our department were ever for the chop. Surely REF would mean they wouldn't let me go? Wrong. It was the most research-active who were shoved out first.
Most UK HE VCs simply do not care about research, full stop.
Some care about the REF and/or other metrics, but they believe academics are easily replaceable in terms of their role in gaming those metrics.
Some care about the REF and/or other metrics, but they believe academics are easily replaceable in terms of their role in gaming those metrics.
October 30, 2025 at 11:44 AM
I saw this in action. I built up my research profile and thought that would save me if our department were ever for the chop. Surely REF would mean they wouldn't let me go? Wrong. It was the most research-active who were shoved out first.
Reposted by Alexandra Wilson
Although senior managers don't care about research, this does not mean that they care about teaching instead.
October 30, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Although senior managers don't care about research, this does not mean that they care about teaching instead.
Another ringing endorsement for my new book, this time from Stephen Bush in the Financial Times.
October 27, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Another ringing endorsement for my new book, this time from Stephen Bush in the Financial Times.
I'll be on @bbcradio3bot.bsky.social at 6pm, discussing the new Tosca from the Royal Opera with Ian Skelly.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
BBC Radio 3 - Opera on 3, Puccini's Tosca
Puccini's Tosca from The Royal Opera starring Anna Netrebko
www.bbc.co.uk
October 25, 2025 at 4:26 PM
I'll be on @bbcradio3bot.bsky.social at 6pm, discussing the new Tosca from the Royal Opera with Ian Skelly.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
Reposted by Alexandra Wilson
I recently went to the National Portrait Gallery's new Cecil Beaton exhibition and thought it was sublime. Read my review for @engelsbergideas.bsky.social here.
engelsbergideas.com/reviews/the-...
engelsbergideas.com/reviews/the-...
The lure of Beaton's sublime surfaces
From glittering debutantes to screen sirens, Cecil Beaton captured mid-century glamour, blurring portraiture with performance.
engelsbergideas.com
October 24, 2025 at 12:34 PM
I recently went to the National Portrait Gallery's new Cecil Beaton exhibition and thought it was sublime. Read my review for @engelsbergideas.bsky.social here.
engelsbergideas.com/reviews/the-...
engelsbergideas.com/reviews/the-...
Reposted by Alexandra Wilson
The interior of the Master’s lodge at Balliol College Oxford. Thanks to Dame Helen Ghosh for exclusive access for our members.
#vicsocagm
#vicsocagm
September 6, 2025 at 12:29 PM
The interior of the Master’s lodge at Balliol College Oxford. Thanks to Dame Helen Ghosh for exclusive access for our members.
#vicsocagm
#vicsocagm
Reposted by Alexandra Wilson
For reasons, it would be v. helpful to have information from a broad range of academic and non-academic (incl. GLAM) users of the BBC Written Archives OTHER THAN historians, briefly on: 1) What you've used it for and 2) How the proposed changes would impact on your research.
Reposts welcomed.
Reposts welcomed.
Historians dismayed by ‘scandal’ of BBC cutting access to...
Critics say new limit to trove of information sounds knell for independent research
observer.co.uk
October 14, 2025 at 9:09 AM
For reasons, it would be v. helpful to have information from a broad range of academic and non-academic (incl. GLAM) users of the BBC Written Archives OTHER THAN historians, briefly on: 1) What you've used it for and 2) How the proposed changes would impact on your research.
Reposts welcomed.
Reposts welcomed.
Reposted by Alexandra Wilson
Someone Else’s Music is proving to be excellent train reading @amwilson.bsky.social !
October 13, 2025 at 10:35 AM
Someone Else’s Music is proving to be excellent train reading @amwilson.bsky.social !
Reposted by Alexandra Wilson
Just got my copy of Someone Else’s Music, the new book by Alexandra Wilson — looking forward to starting it over the weekend.
More info: www.jesus.ox.ac.uk/someone-else...
#Opera
More info: www.jesus.ox.ac.uk/someone-else...
#Opera
October 10, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Just got my copy of Someone Else’s Music, the new book by Alexandra Wilson — looking forward to starting it over the weekend.
More info: www.jesus.ox.ac.uk/someone-else...
#Opera
More info: www.jesus.ox.ac.uk/someone-else...
#Opera
Reposted by Alexandra Wilson
'Now, Alexandra Wilson’s new book, Someone Else’s Music, unpicks the myth that opera is alien to the working class. For much of the past century, Wilson shows, opera was a hugely important thread in working-class lives.'
It’s not opera that’s elitist but the idea that art is to...
The myth that culture has not been for the masses is debunked in a new book
observer.co.uk
October 12, 2025 at 9:32 AM
'Now, Alexandra Wilson’s new book, Someone Else’s Music, unpicks the myth that opera is alien to the working class. For much of the past century, Wilson shows, opera was a hugely important thread in working-class lives.'
Reposted by Alexandra Wilson
Luciano Pavarotti was born 90 years ago today in Modena. A great tenor – in all senses – his voice was like golden sunshine. I was lucky enough to see him three times, twice in Tosca – a wonderful Cavaradossi. He left so many great recordings. Your favourites?
October 12, 2025 at 5:43 AM
Luciano Pavarotti was born 90 years ago today in Modena. A great tenor – in all senses – his voice was like golden sunshine. I was lucky enough to see him three times, twice in Tosca – a wonderful Cavaradossi. He left so many great recordings. Your favourites?
Reposted by Alexandra Wilson
EXACTLY!
‘Where once there was a yearning to be “exposed to something extraordinary”, today politicians and arts administrators are besotted by the notion of “relevance”, of the arts as something with which people must immediately identify or recognise.’ observer.co.uk/news/columni...
‘Where once there was a yearning to be “exposed to something extraordinary”, today politicians and arts administrators are besotted by the notion of “relevance”, of the arts as something with which people must immediately identify or recognise.’ observer.co.uk/news/columni...
It’s not opera that’s elitist but the idea that art is to...
The myth that culture has not been for the masses is debunked in a new book
observer.co.uk
October 12, 2025 at 8:05 AM
EXACTLY!
‘Where once there was a yearning to be “exposed to something extraordinary”, today politicians and arts administrators are besotted by the notion of “relevance”, of the arts as something with which people must immediately identify or recognise.’ observer.co.uk/news/columni...
‘Where once there was a yearning to be “exposed to something extraordinary”, today politicians and arts administrators are besotted by the notion of “relevance”, of the arts as something with which people must immediately identify or recognise.’ observer.co.uk/news/columni...
Reposted by Alexandra Wilson
Tamara de Lempicka,
Blue Woman with a Guitar, 1929
Polish painter who created her work in an Art Deco style #womensart
Blue Woman with a Guitar, 1929
Polish painter who created her work in an Art Deco style #womensart
October 11, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Tamara de Lempicka,
Blue Woman with a Guitar, 1929
Polish painter who created her work in an Art Deco style #womensart
Blue Woman with a Guitar, 1929
Polish painter who created her work in an Art Deco style #womensart
Reposted by Alexandra Wilson
Under offer(tory)
October 10, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Under offer(tory)
Reposted by Alexandra Wilson
Today I’ve been visiting Reims (pronounced Rrrrass), a city in the Champagne region, about 45 mins from Paris on the train. Because it was hit hard by World War I, a lot of Reims was rebuilt in the Art Deco era, which means pleasing buildings galore. So here’s a thread 🧵
October 10, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Today I’ve been visiting Reims (pronounced Rrrrass), a city in the Champagne region, about 45 mins from Paris on the train. Because it was hit hard by World War I, a lot of Reims was rebuilt in the Art Deco era, which means pleasing buildings galore. So here’s a thread 🧵
Reposted by Alexandra Wilson
I am delighted with this review of my new book in The New Statesman. The reviewer really gets what the book is all about.
www.newstatesman.com/culture/book...
www.newstatesman.com/culture/book...
When did opera become elitist?
Alexandra Wilson’s history of the art form in Britain shows how it used to appeal to everyone, from miners to lords
www.newstatesman.com
October 9, 2025 at 9:15 AM
I am delighted with this review of my new book in The New Statesman. The reviewer really gets what the book is all about.
www.newstatesman.com/culture/book...
www.newstatesman.com/culture/book...
I am delighted with this review of my new book in The New Statesman. The reviewer really gets what the book is all about.
www.newstatesman.com/culture/book...
www.newstatesman.com/culture/book...
When did opera become elitist?
Alexandra Wilson’s history of the art form in Britain shows how it used to appeal to everyone, from miners to lords
www.newstatesman.com
October 9, 2025 at 9:15 AM
I am delighted with this review of my new book in The New Statesman. The reviewer really gets what the book is all about.
www.newstatesman.com/culture/book...
www.newstatesman.com/culture/book...