Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

Episode 2

Helen Berry's new biography of Giusto Tenducci, the famous 18th-century castrato. Today, Tenducci embarks on his operatic career, but is embroiled in scandal. Read by Greta Scacchi.

Helen Berry's astonishing new portrait of Giusto Ferdinando Tenducci, the celebrated 18th century castrato, and his love affair with a young Irish girl, Dorothea Maunsell.

In today's episode, Tenducci embarks on his operatic career and after his first London season, has acquired a massive and enthusiastic following. But he is soon embroiled in a public scandal with an English society lady.

Read by Greta Scacchi
Abridged by Viv Beeby
Produced by Emma Harding

'The Castrato and His Wife' is published by Oxford University Press.

15 minutes

Last on

Wed 5 Oct 2011 00:30

Broadcasts

  • Tue 4 Oct 2011 09:45
  • Wed 5 Oct 2011 00:30

Listen to more Audio Books

Listen to more Audio Books

Including My Sister The Serial Killer, Queenie, The Flatshare and more.

Opening Lines

Opening Lines

John Yorke unpacks the themes behind the stories in Radio 4's weekend afternoon dramas.

Sample our books and authors Clip Collection

Interviews, previews and reviews

Subscribe to the Short stories podcast

Featuring the best stories from the UK's finest writers

How many of these 100 Novels have you read?

How many of these 100 Novels have you read?

After a passionate debate, our panel has come up with this surprising literary selection.

Finding Your Story

Finding Your Story

Ten remarkable novels about identity: Which one will help you discover yourself?

大象传媒 Arts: Books

Celebrating reading and the 100 novels that have shaped our world.