Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Classical Music - Sunday 6 April 2014

Which literary work has inspired more music than any other? Catherine Bott has the answer.

Tonight Catherine Bott takes a look at the extraordinary 16th century poem Orlando Furioso which remarkably has inspired more than 100 operas.

The story – translated as 'Orlando in a frenzy' – formed the basis for some thrilling works by Handel, Haydn and Vivaldi, as well as numerous other composers including Lully and Rameau.

So just what is it about Ariosto's epic poem that has inspired more music than any other literary work? 

Sublime music and far-fetched plots aplenty tonight, with superb performances from Rolando Villazon and Renée Fleming.