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Servants and Soldiers

Donald Macleod visits the home of Jane Austen with historian Amanda Vickery and explores what we know about Christmas celebrations among the lower classes during Austen's era.

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 Âé¶¹Éç Audio Wales and West

28 days left to listen

59 minutes

Last on

Boxing Day 2025 16:00

Music Played

  • Anon.

    The First Nowell

    Performer: Margaret Phillips. Choir: The Sixteen. Conductor: Harry Christophers.
    • CORO : COR-16136.
    • CORO.
    • 1.
  • Anonymous

    Remember the Poor

    Choir: Oxford Waits. Ensemble: The Mellstock Band.
    • BEAUTIFUL JO.
  • John Hill

    The people that walked in darkness "An Anthem"

    Singer: Phillipa Hyde. Singer: Claire Tomlin. Singer: Timothy Kenworthy-Brown. Singer: Jannie Cassidy. Singer: Pat McCarthy. Singer: Julian Perkins. Choir: Psalmody. Ensemble: Parley of Instruments. Director: Peter Holman.
    • HYPERION.
  • Richard Charke

    Harlequin Restor'd: Medley Overture

    Ensemble: Parley of Instruments. Conductor: Peter Holman.
    • HYPERION.
  • George Frideric Handel

    Messiah, Part 3 (excerpt)

    Singer: Susan Hamilton. Singer: Annie Gill. Singer: Clare Wilkinson. Singer: Nicholas Mulroy. Singer: Matthew Brooke. Singer: Edward Caswell. Ensemble: Dunedin Consort. Conductor: John Butt.
    • LINN RECORDS : LINN-CKD285.
    • LINN RECORDS.

Broadcast

  • Boxing Day 2025 16:00

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