Episodes
| Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Novice | 20090629 | Dramatisation of the novel by Sarah Dunant, set in a convent in Renaissance Italy, where a young woman has been placed against her will.
Serafina is locked in the convent of Santa Caterina. Her family declare she has a beautiful voice but she vows that she will never sing.
Abbess ...... Eileen Atkins
Dramtised by Rachel Joyce.
The music has been specially recorded by Musica Secreta, available on the CD Sacred Hearts, Secret Music.
A Pacificus production for BBC Radio 4.
Sixteen-year-old Serafina is locked in the convent of Santa Caterina. Classic and contemporary original drama and book dramatisations |
| 02 | Songbird | 20090630 | Dramatisation of the novel by Sarah Dunant, set in a convent in Renaissance Italy, where a young woman has been placed against her will.
Serafina reluctantly helps Suora Zuana in the dispensary, but by night her heart exults to the sound of a man's voice singing outside the convent walls.
Abbess ...... Eileen Atkins
Dramtised by Rachel Joyce.
The music has been specially recorded by Musica Secreta, available on the CD Sacred Hearts, Secret Music.
A Pacificus production for BBC Radio 4.
By night, Serafina's heart exults to the sound of a man singing outside the convent. Classic and contemporary original drama and book dramatisations |
| 03 | Ecstasy | 20090701 | Dramatisation of the novel by Sarah Dunant, set in a convent in Renaissance Italy, where a young woman has been placed against her will.
At The Feast of St Agnes, Serafina sings for the first time and is rewarded by an unexpected voice from the audience.
Abbess ...... Eileen Atkins
Dramtised by Rachel Joyce.
The music has been specially recorded by Musica Secreta, available on the CD Sacred Hearts, Secret Music.
A Pacificus production for BBC Radio 4.
Serafina sings for the first time and is rewarded by an unexpected voice from the audience Classic and contemporary original drama and book dramatisations |
| 04 | Fever | 20090702 | Dramatisation of the novel by Sarah Dunant, set in a convent in Renaissance Italy, where a young woman has been placed against her will.
While the convent is hit by fever, Serafina begins to make her plans for escape.
Abbess ...... Eileen Atkins
Dramtised by Rachel Joyce.
The music has been specially recorded by Musica Secreta, available on the CD Sacred Hearts, Secret Music.
A Pacificus production for BBC Radio 4.
While the convent is hit by fever, Serafina begins to make her plans for escape. Classic and contemporary original drama and book dramatisations |
| 05 | Carnival | 20090703 | Dramatisation of the novel by Sarah Dunant, set in a convent in Renaissance Italy, where a young woman has been placed against her will.
The convent celebrates the long-awaited carnival, but where is Serafina?
Abbess ...... Eileen Atkins
Dramtised by Rachel Joyce.
The music has been specially recorded by Musica Secreta, available on the CD Sacred Hearts, Secret Music.
A Pacificus production for BBC Radio 4.
The convent celebrates the long-awaited carnival, but where is Serafina? Classic and contemporary original drama and book dramatisations |
| 06 | Miracle | 20090706 | Dramatisation of the novel by Sarah Dunant, set in a convent in Renaissance Italy, where a young woman has been placed against her will.
Suora Zuana administers a strong remedy to calm Serafina's convulsions - but is it too much?
Abbess ...... Eileen Atkins
Dramtised by Rachel Joyce.
The music has been specially recorded by Musica Secreta, available on the CD Sacred Hearts, Secret Music.
A Pacificus production for BBC Radio 4.
Suora Zuana administers a strong remedy to calm Serafina's convulsions. Classic and contemporary original drama and book dramatisations |
| 07 | Penance | 20090707 | Dramatisation of the novel by Sarah Dunant, set in a convent in Renaissance Italy, where a young woman has been placed against her will.
The novice Serafina is given penance and starves herself for the host. It seems that all hope is lost.
Abbess ...... Eileen Atkins
Dramtised by Rachel Joyce.
The music has been specially recorded by Musica Secreta, available on the CD Sacred Hearts, Secret Music.
A Pacificus production for BBC Radio 4.
Serafina is given penance and starves herself for the host. It seems that all hope is lost Classic and contemporary original drama and book dramatisations |
| 08 | Termites | 20090708 | Dramatisation of the novel by Sarah Dunant, set in a convent in Renaissance Italy, where a young woman has been placed against her will.
The great statue of Christ has fallen, and Zuana receives an unexpected visitor who presents her with a terrible predicament.
Abbess ...... Eileen Atkins
Dramtised by Rachel Joyce.
The music has been specially recorded by Musica Secreta, available on the CD Sacred Hearts, Secret Music.
A Pacificus production for BBC Radio 4.
Zuana receives an unexpected visitor who presents her with a terrible predicament. Classic and contemporary original drama and book dramatisations |
| 09 | Letter | 20090709 | Dramatisation of the novel by Sarah Dunant, set in a convent in Renaissance Italy, where a young woman has been placed against her will.
Suora Zuana begins her remedy to cure a spiritual disease and solve the convent's greatest problem.
Abbess ...... Eileen Atkins
Dramtised by Rachel Joyce.
The music has been specially recorded by Musica Secreta, available on the CD Sacred Hearts, Secret Music.
A Pacificus production for BBC Radio 4.
Suora Zuana begins her remedy to cure a spiritual disease and solve the convent's problem. Classic and contemporary original drama and book dramatisations |
| 10 | Living Saint | 20090710 | Dramatisation of the novel by Sarah Dunant, set in a convent in Renaissance Italy, where a young woman has been placed against her will.
Serafina has been found senseless, presumed dead. If the convent is to survive, it is time to make sacrifices.
Abbess ...... Eileen Atkins
Dramtised by Rachel Joyce.
The music has been specially recorded by Musica Secreta, available on the CD Sacred Hearts, Secret Music.
A Pacificus production for BBC Radio 4.
Serafina has been found senseless, presumed dead. It is time to make sacrifices. Classic and contemporary original drama and book dramatisations |