Hannah French chats to the Dunedin Consort's artistic director John Butt in the ensemble's 25th anniversary year, and John chooses some of his favourite recordings from their discography.

Lucie Skeaping is joined by Professor Magnus Williamson of Newcastle University to explore the life & music of 16th Century composer Robert Parsons, who died 450 years ago this year, at the young age of 37.

Hannah French explores the major recording series the Vivaldi Edition, in conversation with its artistic director Susan Orlando. At 68 discs so far - the 69th will be out on Friday - the Edition is one of the biggest recording projects of the 21st century and aims to release every note of music in the manuscripts Vivaldi had with him when he died in 1741.

Vivaldi Edition website: https://vivaldiedition.net

Hannah French presents a tribute to the extraordinary musician, linguist and founder of Joglaresa - Belinda Sykes - who died last year. With contributions from friends and colleagues, and tracks from her many recordings.

John Blanke was a trumpet player of African descent employed by the English Kings Henry VII and Henry VIII in the early 1500s. He's the only black person of the Tudor period for whom we have both a name and a picture – in the Westminster Tournament Roll of 1511, currently on display at the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool – but he was by no means the only person of African heritage living in England at that time. Lucie Skeaping uncovers the life and world of John Blanke and the music he would have known, in conversation with expert on diversity in Tudor England, Dr Onyeka Nubia.

Radio 3's New Generation Baroque Ensemble - Ensemble Molière - play Lully, Couperin and Telemann, showcasing the coming together of French and Italian musical tastes in the late 18th century, known as the 'Réunion des goûts'.

Presented by Hannah French.

Hannah French is in Cambridge exploring links between Handel and the city...which he never visited! She's joined by The Fitzwilliam Museum's Dr Suzanne Reynolds, Handel aficionado Dr Ruth Smith and Emeritus Professor Iain Fenlon to look at a number of treasured items of Handel memorabilia.

She'll also be chatting to Cambridge Handel Opera Company's Julian Perkins ahead of their forthcoming production of Tamerlano.

New York-based wine historian Ron Merlino joins Hannah once again to explore some of the music and wines associated with 18th-century Venice during Carnevale season, with a particular focus on the operas of Vivaldi - himself something of a wine connoisseur.

Hannah will be tasting three red wine varieties - a Marzemino, a Refosco and an Amarone.

New York-based wine historian Ron Merlino joins Hannah French to explore the Carnevale season in Baroque Venice. There's music specifically associated with wine, and the wine trade - a mainstay of the 17th-century Venetian economy.

Hannah will be tasting three white wine varieties intrinsically linked to music by Cavalli, Monteverdi, Pallavicino and Cesti.

Using the words of the favourite 19th-century English carol “Good King Wenceslas”, Hannah French explores the music, food and traditions of Christmas in Bohemia.

“Good King Wenceslas looked out

The carol tells the story of the Bohemian king, Saint Wenceslaus I going on a journey and braving harsh winter weather to give alms to a poor peasant on the Feast of Saint Stephen. During the journey, his page is about to give up the struggle against the cold weather, but is enabled to continue by following his master’s footprints, step for step through the deep snow.

Saint Stephen’s Day – 26th December – celebrates the saint who is credited with being the first Christian martyr.

“Bring me flesh and bring me wine”

What is the traditional Bohemian Christmas fare? Hannah is joined by food-writer and philanthropist Lady Milena Grenfell-Baines MBE to unpack some of the yuletide traditions still practiced in the Czech Republic today.

“Ye, who now will bless the poor

Hannah’s other guest is singer and language coach Jarmila Karas, and together they will also explore some of the traditional Czech music associated with Christmas and pieces related to Saint Stephen by Bach and Zelenka.