Front Row - Cecilia Bartoli; Simon Amstell, Dexter Dalwood

Kirsty Lang interviews mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli, whose career began following her appearance on an Italian TV talent show. She talks about singing Vivaldi and other lesser known Italian composers. Children's author and critic Damian Kelleher (author of Life Interupted) reviews two new shows for children: My Dad's a Birdman at the Young Vic is by Carnegie Medal winning children's author David Almond (Skellig), with a soundtrack by The Pet Shop Boys. Beauty and the Beast at the National Theatre is devised by director Katie Mitchell - best known for her radical takes on classic plays including Chekov's The Seagull and Three Sisters. Comedian Simon Amstell explains how being shy as a child led him into stand-up, what really happened when he made Britney Spears cry and why he'd rather be asking the questions in an interview. Turner Prize Interview: John Wilson visits Dexter Dalwood in his studio to hear why the real people of his titles - including Truman Capote, Kurt Cobain and David Kelly - are never seen in his paintings. Dexter reveals the stages a new work must pass through before it heads to either a gallery or the rubbish bin. Producer: Gavin Heard.