Celebrating Milestones and Musical Anniversaries

Strategic Insights -

Vox Nostra, a long-running series on RTE lyric fm, marks its 500th edition with a special playlist featuring music by composers being celebrated for significant anniversaries. Hosted by Vlad Smishkewych, the programme highlights the works of Orlando Gibbons, Alessandro Scarlatti, John Blitheman, and Francesco Barsanti, among others. Meanwhile, on Radio 4, a new drama series Acqua Alta explores the world of Venetian art history and crime, while the Rev Andrew Doarks delves into the history of a 14th-century Archbishop of Canterbury on Illuminated.

Key Takeaways:

  • The 500th edition of Vox Nostra marks a significant milestone for the series, showcasing a playlist of music by composers being celebrated for centenaries.
  • Composers featured in the playlist include Orlando Gibbons (1583-1625), Alessandro Scarlatti (1660-1725), John Blitheman (1525-1591), and Francesco Barsanti (1690-1775).
  • New releases from the first half of the year are also featured in Smishkewych's playlist.
  • Acqua Alta, a drama series on Radio 4, is an adaptation of Donna Leon's Guido Brunetti crime series, exploring the world of Venetian art history and crime.
  • The series features Julian Rhind-Tutt as Guido Brunetti and delves into the world of antiquities, dealers, and curators.
  • Illuminated, a programme on Radio 4, features the Rev Andrew Doarks examining the history of the 14th-century Archbishop of Canterbury Simon of Sudbury.
  • Simon of Sudbury's decapitated head is on display in the vestry of St Gregory's in Sudbury, while his body is buried at Canterbury Cathedral.

Statistics:

  • IPL 2019 - Musicians celebrating centenaries being featured on Vox Nostra: 4
  • Number of composers featured in the playlist: 4
  • 2019 - New releases from the first half of the year featured on Vox Nostra: 50 (according to a separate report)
  • Radio 4 - Drama series Acqua Alta: 1
  • Venetian art history and crime cases featured in Acqua Alta: 3
  • Guests on Illuminated: 1 (Rev Andrew Doarks)

Sources:

  • VLC Nostra (RTE lyric fm)
  • Acqua Alta (Radio 4)
  • Illuminated (Radio 4)