‘The man that hath no music in himself, Nor is not mov’d with the concord of sweet sounds, Is fit for treasons, strategems, and spoils; the motions of his spirit are dull as night, And his affections dark as Erebus: Let no such man be trusted. Mark the music.’ the Merchant of Venice – William Shakespeare

‘Since Singing is so good a thing, I wish all men would learn to sing.’ -William Byrd

Michael Lankester explores the world of literature and music from the mediaeval chanson to the flowering of German lieder, from the simple folk song to grand opera, and from the setting of religious texts to the poetry of Goethe.

1. If Music Be the Food of Love

2. Die Schone Mullerin

3. On Wings of Song

4. Love’s All Over the Mountain, Where the Beautiful Go to Die

5. In Paradisum

6. The Night of the Missing Lemon Juice

7. A Night at the Opera

8. The Song of the Nightingale

9. Silent Night

10. Symphony of a Thousand