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Lesley Bruce - Glass

How the lives of Franklin, Mesmer and Mozart are linked by the invention of the glass harmonica. Stars Nicholas Farrell.

In 1761, Benjamin Franklin invented the glass harmonica.

Drama exploring the impact of this peculiar instrument on the lives of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Franz Mesmer - as well as two visually-impaired musicians, Marianne Kirschgassner and Marie Therese von Paradis.

Written by Lesley Bruce.

Benjamin Franklin .... Jon Strickland
Mozart .... Adam Godley
Franz Mesmer .... Nicholas Farrell
Marianne Kirschgassner .... Tracey Wiles
Herr Kirschgassner .... John Rowe
Marianne Kirschgassner .... Tracey Wiles
Marie Therese von Paradis .... Victoria Finney
Marianne Kirschgassner .... Tracey Wiles

All other parts played by the cast.

Director Claire Grove

First broadcast in BBC Radio 4 in February 1999.

1 hour

Last on

Sat 4 May 202405:00
BBC Radio 4 Extra

Broadcasts

  • Fri 14 Jan 202210:00
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Fri 14 Jan 202215:00
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Sat 15 Jan 202203:00
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Fri 3 May 202415:00
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Fri 3 May 202421:00
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Sat 4 May 202405:00
    BBC Radio 4 Extra