Richard Wagner's Rheingold, English National Opera

Zoe wants to hate Wagner. Tom has always loved him. They discuss a recent performance at the ENO, in which Zoe, against her will and expectation, finds herself charmed and amused. But is it ok to like Wagner operas? Does it make you a sort of bad person? Or, as Tom reckons, is Wagner the pinnacle of modern culture - deserving of being adored by all, always and forever? Join them as they make their way through an analysis of this splendid, budget performance.

Om Podcasten

A podcast for the culturally curious that turns a critical eye on some of the most-hyped plays, books, films and music in recent years and asks where they came from and what they tell us about culture today. Zoe Strimpel is a historian of gender and intimacy, Sunday Telegraph columnist and sincere contrarian. Tom Stammers is a fair-minded historian of 19th century France and a lecturer in European history at Durham University - who nonetheless knows how to turn the screw when necessary. They've been yammering about culture together since university.