Former Beatle argues use of terms for meat-free products ‘encourages attitudes essential to our health’

Paul McCartney has joined calls for the EU to reject efforts to ban the use of terms such as “sausage” and “burger” for vegetarian foods.

The former Beatle has joined eight British MPs who have written to the European Commission arguing that a ban approved in October by the European parliament would address a nonexistent problem while slowing progress on climate goals.

Former Beatle argues use of terms for meat-free products ‘encourages attitudes essential to our health’

Paul McCartney has joined calls for the EU to reject efforts to ban the use of terms such as “sausage” and “burger” for vegetarian foods.

The former Beatle has joined eight British MPs who have written to the European Commission arguing that a ban approved in October by the European parliament would address a nonexistent problem while slowing progress on climate goals.

Former Beatle argues use of terms for meat-free products ‘encourages attitudes essential to our health’

Paul McCartney has joined calls for the EU to reject efforts to ban the use of terms such as “sausage” and “burger” for vegetarian foods.

The former Beatle has joined eight British MPs who have written to the European Commission arguing that a ban approved in October by the European parliament would address a nonexistent problem while slowing progress on climate goals.

Barbican Hall, London
Carlo Rizzi and the BBC Symphony Orchestra sparkled as Ermonela Jaho as Magda and Iván Ayón-Rivas as Ruggero delivered the composer’s long-lost preferred version

Operas often don’t end up being performed in quite the way their composers intended – and that’s been especially true of La Rondine, Puccini’s slender opera about the Parisienne courtesan Magda and her fleeting attempt to relive the romance and excitement of her youth. But a new edition has made his final thoughts on his opera performable again, and Opera Rara and the BBC Symphony Orchestra got to do the big reveal.

The standard version of La Rondine, performed at the premiere in 1917, ends with Magda – the “migrating swallow” of the title – nobly leaving her lovelorn Ruggero so that he can find someone more marriageable. Yet Puccini’s 1921 revision – his third version of the opera, the one he was finally happy with – has Ruggero angrily sending Magda away. It’s a big change, making the opera’s aftertaste bitter where it used to be sweet. There are lots of other differences too, notably some extra merrymaking for the chorus and orchestra in the second act.

Barbican Hall, London
Carlo Rizzi and the BBC Symphony Orchestra sparkled as Ermonela Jaho as Magda and Iván Ayón-Rivas as Ruggero delivered the composer’s long-lost preferred version

Operas often don’t end up being performed in quite the way their composers intended – and that’s been especially true of La Rondine, Puccini’s slender opera about the Parisienne courtesan Magda and her fleeting attempt to relive the romance and excitement of her youth. But a new edition has made his final thoughts on his opera performable again, and Opera Rara and the BBC Symphony Orchestra got to do the big reveal.

The standard version of La Rondine, performed at the premiere in 1917, ends with Magda – the “migrating swallow” of the title – nobly leaving her lovelorn Ruggero so that he can find someone more marriageable. Yet Puccini’s 1921 revision – his third version of the opera, the one he was finally happy with – has Ruggero angrily sending Magda away. It’s a big change, making the opera’s aftertaste bitter where it used to be sweet. There are lots of other differences too, notably some extra merrymaking for the chorus and orchestra in the second act.

Barbican Hall, London
Carlo Rizzi and the BBC Symphony Orchestra sparkled as Ermonela Jaho as Magda and Iván Ayón-Rivas as Ruggero delivered the composer’s long-lost preferred version

Operas often don’t end up being performed in quite the way their composers intended – and that’s been especially true of La Rondine, Puccini’s slender opera about the Parisienne courtesan Magda and her fleeting attempt to relive the romance and excitement of her youth. But a new edition has made his final thoughts on his opera performable again, and Opera Rara and the BBC Symphony Orchestra got to do the big reveal.

The standard version of La Rondine, performed at the premiere in 1917, ends with Magda – the “migrating swallow” of the title – nobly leaving her lovelorn Ruggero so that he can find someone more marriageable. Yet Puccini’s 1921 revision – his third version of the opera, the one he was finally happy with – has Ruggero angrily sending Magda away. It’s a big change, making the opera’s aftertaste bitter where it used to be sweet. There are lots of other differences too, notably some extra merrymaking for the chorus and orchestra in the second act.

Moscow welcomes White House document critical of the EU as talks to end the Ukraine war enter a key phase

The Kremlin has heaped praise on Donald Trump’s latest national security strategy , calling it an encouraging change of policy that largely aligns with Russian thinking.

The remarks follow the publication of a White House document on Friday that criticises the EU and says Europe is at risk of “civilisational erasure”, while making clear the US is keen to establish better relations with Russia.

Moscow welcomes White House document critical of the EU as talks to end the Ukraine war enter a key phase

The Kremlin has heaped praise on Donald Trump’s latest national security strategy , calling it an encouraging change of policy that largely aligns with Russian thinking.

The remarks follow the publication of a White House document on Friday that criticises the EU and says Europe is at risk of “civilisational erasure”, while making clear the US is keen to establish better relations with Russia.

Moscow welcomes White House document critical of the EU as talks to end the Ukraine war enter a key phase

The Kremlin has heaped praise on Donald Trump’s latest national security strategy , calling it an encouraging change of policy that largely aligns with Russian thinking.

The remarks follow the publication of a White House document on Friday that criticises the EU and says Europe is at risk of “civilisational erasure”, while making clear the US is keen to establish better relations with Russia.