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Available for over a year

What happened when music critic Michael White was asked to look at some storage boxes, packed with memorabilia of the soprano Jennifer Vyvyan? For several months, he and her son Jonathan Crown delved through them and uncovered the fascinating story of one of Britain's most dazzling classical music stars, who died in 1974. Michael reveals his discoveries, from the dramatic roles Jennifer pioneered for Benjamin Britten to her definitive recordings of Handel, made with Sir Thomas Beecham and Sir Adrian Boult. The singer’s aristocratic roots are revealed, plus a controversial marriage, her championing of new music and the baroque revival - as well as a lifelong struggle against a fatal disease. There are also archive recordings of Vyvan herself, and the recollections of her contemporaries April Cantelo, Steuart Bedford and John Copley. Enjoy one of the most golden voices of the post-war era of British music. Producer: Alyn Shipton A Unique production for Â鶹Éç Radio 4 first broadcast in August 2011.