Servants and Soldiers

Available for 12 days

Donald Macleod visits the home of Jane Austen with historian, Amanda Vickery, to discover some of the seasonal customs and Christmas music of late-Georgian Britain. Today, Donald and Amanda venture into the kitchen to explore what we know about Christmas celebrations among the lower classes during Jane Austen’s era. They also examine the impact of local militia, stationed over winter at country towns across Georgian Britain. We also see the beginnings of a festive theatrical tradition that remains a Christmas favourite today. Trad: The First Nowell Margaret Phillips, organ The Sixteen, directed by Harry Christophers, Anon: Remember The Poor Caroline Ritson, singer Mark Emerson, violin Dave Townsend, concertina John Hill: The people that walked in darkness Philippa Hyde, soprano Clare Tomlin, soprano Timothy Kenworthy-Brown, alto Jannie Cassidy, alto Patrick McCarthy, tenor Julian Perkins, bass Psalmody The Parley of Instruments, conducted by Peter Holman Richard Charke: Harlequin Restor'd, Medley Overture The Parley of Instruments, conducted by Peter Holman John Frederick Lampe: The Dragon of Wantley, Overture Brook Street Band, conducted by John Andrews Handel: Messiah (extracts from Part 3) Susan Hamilton, soprano Matthew Brook, bass Dunedin Consort, conducted by John Butt Produced by Chris Taylor for BBC Audio Wales and West