Sunday Miscellany: Puccini & Ghosts of Rome, by Joseph O'Connor

"There are many ways in which an opera lover might first have encountered the great Puccini, whose centenary has been celebrated this year. My own introduction was unusual, involving three factors that feature in his immortal work La Boheme: youthfulness, alcohol and pain.

One summer, thirty years ago, I travelled over from London where I lived at the time, to stay at the Tyrone Guthrie Centre for Writers and Artists in Annaghmakerrig. It's a hospitable place.

Someone opened wine at dinner. Alas, someone opened whiskey for dessert...."

And you can listen back to all the other contributors on Part 1 of this special Christmas Miscellany here or the individual performances here

And for more seasonal content, tune into Miscellany Extra on Christmas Eve, 2.15pm-2.30pm and Christmas Miscellany on Christmas Day, 9am-10am