u/strawberrychief

I'm not sure if you can listen outside the UK - reports vary - but this is a great episode.

With a concert tonight I am trying to set my mind at rest by reminding myself that in high summer in 18th century Austria the bassoons would have been even more out of tune due to being less precisely and technically built.

And also that likely being servants the musicians would have been sleeping in garrets and have had an even poorer night's sleep.

And finally that their clothes and wigs and the heat of the opera house or ballroom (Candles! Crowds! Sweaty people who had their last bath at Easter!) the players' fingers would be even more sweaty.

At least, that's my excuse for missing a few notes in Marriage of Figaro.

With a concert tonight I am trying to set my mind at rest by reminding myself that in high summer in 18th century Austria the bassoons would have been even more out of tune due to being less precisely and technically built.

And also that likely being servants the musicians would have been sleeping in garrets and have had an even poorer night's sleep.

And finally that their clothes and wigs and the heat of the opera house or ballroom (Candles! Crowds! Sweaty people who had their last bath at Easter!) the players' fingers would be even more sweaty.

At least, that's my excuse for missing a few notes in Marriage of Figaro.