A History of Private Life - Domestic Harmony

Historian Amanda Vickery presents a series which reveals the hidden history of home over 400 years. She draws on first-hand accounts from letters and diaries, many of which have never been heard before. Including songs which have been specially recorded for the series. Visitors - and new codes of politeness. As visiting begins in the 18th century, so the home is opened up for inspection. Family music-making was a way of creating domestic harmony, and it was your best chance of finding a partner. Includes the diary of one hapless bachelor who falls for one girl after another upon hearing them sing and play at musical evenings. Readers: Deborah Findlay, John Sessions, Madeleine Brolly and Simon Tcherniak. Singers: Gwyneth Herbert and Thomas Guthrie, with David Owen Norris at the keyboard. A Loftus production for BBC Radio 4.