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You'll hear extracts from the diaries of Samuel Pepys and John Evelyn, and John Dryden's epic poem 1666, describing events from the reign of Charles II in England. On stage, battling husbands and wives were stock characters as theatres re-opened and drew in the crowds.

As Radio 3's series exploring the history of music Key Changes reaches the Restoration Court, Words and Music provides an accompanying selection of readings and music evoking the period from Rose Tremain's novel Restoration, Lucy M Boston's The Children of Green Knowe and Edward Bond's play Restoration. Our composers include Purcell and Blow, Michael Nyman鈥檚 film score for The Libertine, which depicts the life of the poet courtier the Earl of Rochester, from the court of the Sun King in France, and from Vaughan Williams, inspired by Bunyan鈥檚 Pilgrim鈥檚 Progress. There were scientific discoveries both big and small, such as Halley鈥檚 Comet and the use of microscopes by Robert Hooke, we'll hear words and music reflecting one of the great tragedies of the age, the Great Fire of London, as well as a celebration of women stepping on to the theatrical stage for the first time, including the famous Nell Gwyn.

Readers: Nicholas Farrell & Stella Gonet
Producer: Simon Funnell

Readings:
The Diary of Samuel Pepys
Tyrannick Love John Dryden
Restoration Rose Tremain
The Intrigues at Versailles D'Urfey
Pilgrim鈥檚 Progress Bunyan
Restoration Edward Bond
The Children of Green Knowe LM Boston
The diary of John Evelyn
Robert Hooke
The curious life of Robert Hooke Lisa Jardine
Diary of Samuel Pepys
Traditional Ballad
By Permission of Heaven The Story of the Great Fire of London Adrian Tinniswood