Video Interview, Matilda Lloyd on 'Casta Diva'

Brass players will be familiar - perhaps, dare I say it, painfully so - with Jean-Baptiste Arban's trumpet method, revered for generations as "the trumpeter's Bible". Tucked away at the back of this intimidating tome of technical exercises, however, are some delightful variations on the hit songs of Arban's day - folk melodies and opera arias alike.

Pride of place surely goes to his take on the beloved cavatina 'Casta Diva' from Bellini's Norma, and this is where the inspiration (not to mention the title) arose for trumpeter Matilda Lloyd's new album on Chandos, with the melodious aspect of the instrument placed centre stage.

I was lucky enough to be able to catch Matilda just after her launch recital in London's Wigmore Hall to talk about this programme - though she also kindly shared some other thoughts with us earlier in the week too.

Image credit: Benjamin Ealovega