Bbc 2020

Whatever is happening in the outside world, life in Colchester zoo goes on. Curator Sarah Forsyth is heading into the busiest summer of her life keeping countless animals happy while four out of five of her keeping staff are furloughed. Sarah lives on site – the animals are her family – and they have never needed her more. This documentary follows Sarah for two animal-action-packed weeks, entirely inside the walls of one of Britain's largest zoos as she works tirelessly to deal with the summer baby boom, animal emergencies and unique situations created by the absence of paying public.

Superstar siblings Sheku and Isata Kanneh-Mason take to the stage for their first Prom together to present an evening of chamber music for cello and piano.

To celebrate Beethoven's 250th anniversary, Tom Service and the Aurora Orchestra present a unique evening in which conductor Nicholas Collon and the orchestra take apart Beethoven's popular Seventh Symphony and show us the inner workings of the composer's creative genius, followed by a performance of the work in the orchestra's signature style - from memory! Also on the bill at the Royal Albert Hall is a new work by British composer Richard Ayres, whose piece is inspired by Beethoven's struggle with his loss of hearing.

In light of the Covid-19 global outbreak, Professor Laura Ashe takes a look back at the Black Death of the 14th century, the deadliest pandemic in human history.

Africa has become a superpower in the world of the novel. Shortlists for the world’s major literary prizes are packed with African authors, while novelists like Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie have become international celebrities. But how did Africa become such a hotbed of literary talent? In this fascinating and insightful film, Nigerian-born presenter and historian David Olusoga explores the incredible story of the African novel.

Anoushka Shankar takes to the stage in an evening dedicated to her father and musical guru, Ravi, in what would have been his centenary year. Anoushka is joined in the first half by electronic music producer and performer Gold Panda for a new imagining of Ravi’s music. In the second half, Jules Buckley, the Britten Sinfonia and soloist Manu Delago accompany Anoushka in a selection of her music. Josie d’Arby presents this unique evening from the Royal Albert Hall.

Violin superstar Nicola Benedetti leads a high-energy evening of baroque music by Vivaldi, Handel, Bach, and little-known English composer Charles Avison. If three double violin concertos were not enough, there is also a double oboe concerto!

Sir Simon Rattle and the London Symphony Orchestra with a programme packed with unmissable music, featuring star pianist Mitsuko Uchida playing Beethoven, works by much-loved British composers Elgar and Vaughan Williams, and a new composition by Thomas Adès. Join Suzy Klein for this hotly anticipated return of live music to the Royal Albert Hall.

Off-grid with their own food, animals, power, water and waste disposal, a Welsh eco-community try to come up with a plan to save their homes and their future.

Natural history documentary in which spy cameras camouflaged as various creatures go undercover in the animal world, getting up close and personal to film their behaviour.