A series of three programmes on life in medieval Tuscany compiled and introduced by Iris Origo
Husband and Wife with Norman Shelley as the merchant, Francesco Datini
Carleton Hobbs as his friend, Ser Lapo Mazzei
Irene Sutcliffe as his wife, Monna Margherita
Robert Rietty as the narrator and the voices of MICHAEL GOLDIE , JOAN MATHESON , KENNETH SHANLEY and MANNING WILSON
Music created by Elizabeth Poston from research carried out by SIGNORA POLI-RAPP and played by the PHILOMUSICA OF LONDON , conducted by ELGAR HOWARTH MARGARET CABLE (mezzo-sop)
TIMOTHY PENROSE (counter-tenor) JOHN ELWES (tenor)
ALAN JONES (baritone) and members of the WANDSWORTH SCHOOL CHOIR and of the AMBROSIAN SINGERS
'Remember to wash the mule's s feet with hot water, down to her hoofs ... And have my hose made and soled... And give some of the millet to the nag. and see that it is well mashed... Remember to keep the kitchen windows shut, so that the flour does not get hot... '
Directed by HALLAM TENNYSON