Sounds of Shakespeare

Sean Rafferty launches Radio 3's Sounds of Shakespeare anniversary celebration weekend with a special In Tune live from the studio theatre at the RSC's The Other Place in Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare's birthplace.

Sean will be joined by a line-up of musicians, singers and performers, including actors with a long history of performing with the Royal Shakespeare Company, David Suchet and Harriet Walter, plus the Ophelia from the RSC's current production of Hamlet, Natalie Simpson. There's live music from a specially convened jazz band from New Orleans lead by trumpeter Wendell Brunious, who will be leading a street procession during the weekend, plus the Chelys Consort of Viols, a recorder consort of students from the Royal Academy of Music, and soprano Kathryn Rudge (a Radio 3 New Generation Artist) with pianist James Baillieu and viola player Rachel Roberts, who will perform the world premiere of a brand new setting by Roxanna Panufnik of text from Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. Plus writer Andrew Dickson reports on a celebratory convention of delegates from towns called Stratford all over the world.

Radio 3's "Sounds of Shakespeare" weekend (22-24th April) from Stratford-Upon-Avon marks the 400th anniversary of the death of Shakespeare. Radio 3 will be broadcasting music and performance inspired by Shakespeare, live from their pop-up studio at the Royal Shakespeare Company's Other Place Theatre and from historic venues across the town.