Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

Federigo, a lovelorn knight, pines for the beautiful Monna. But she only wants one thing from him. Stars John Finnemore.

Terry Jones introduces another tasty Renaissance tale

The 100 stories which make up Giovanni Boccaccio鈥檚 humane and comic masterpiece come from all over the world. This Renaissance work is considered a landmark in the history of literature.

The stories are vividly reset by Boccaccio among the flourishing merchant classes in the cities of 14th-century Italy. But their witty, satirical, bawdy voice sounds utterly modern, and their subjects - love, fate, sex, religion, morality - are universal.

鈥淟overs who, after many disasters, finally find happiness.鈥

Courtly Federigo spends every last groat trying to win the affections of the beautiful Monna. But there is only one thing of his that she wants. And it has feathers.

Federigo degli Alberighi ..... John Finnemore
Monna ..... Ingrid Oliver
Elena ..... Carrie Quinlan
Beppo ..... Shaun Mason
Niccolo ..... Adam Thomas Wright

Adapted by Robin Brooks

Music arranged and performed by Robert Hollingworth and Paula Chateauneuf

Lyric translations by Silvia Reseghetti

Script Consultant: Guyda Armstrong

Produced and directed by Jonquil Panting

First broadcast on 麻豆社 Radio 3 in December 2014.

15 minutes

Credits

Role Contributor
Writer Giovanni Boccaccio
Adaptor Robin Brooks
Performer Robert Hollingworth
Performer Paula Chateauneuf
Federigo degli Alberighi John Finnemore
Monna Ingrid Oliver
Elena Carrie Quinlan
Beppo Shaun Mason
Niccolo Adam Thomas Wright
Producer Jonquil Panting
Director Jonquil Panting

Broadcasts

  • Tue 2 Dec 2014 22:45
  • Tue 13 Jan 2026 06:45
  • Tue 13 Jan 2026 11:45
  • Tue 13 Jan 2026 17:45
  • Wed 14 Jan 2026 01:45