20 June 2005
Monday 20 June 2005 20:20-20:40 (Radio 3)
Writer and entertainer Joyce Grenfell was a fan of Aldeburgh, not missing a festival from 1962 until her death in 1979, and writing daily letters of her experiences to her friend Virginia Graham. Janie Hampton, Grenfell's biographer, presents a compilation of these letters, read by Maureen Lipman, revealing a candid, gossipy and surprisingly insightful portrait of the Festival, Benjamin Britten and Aldeburgh itself.
Playlist:
1/3. Britten
Grenfell's growing friendship with Britten led to her creating and recording a special song to celebrate the 20th Festival. Soon after, the recording was lost, only to be discovered nearly 40 years later during the research for this programme.
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