Is it madness or misery that Miss Donnithorne hasn't left the house since her wedding? Abandoned, she surrenders to her new life as a recluse. Spiraling thoughts and stale pie included.

George III has been reputed to be mad for centuries. He too, as a result of his progressive mental affliction, is alone. His monologues echo the kingdom that has vanished from his sight, and all that remains are his birds. Is it madness or misery that he tries to teach them to sing?

With eight songs each, the British composer Sir Peter Maxwell Davies has created sound portraits that indulge in madness, yet at the same time always leave room for recollections of normality, dreams and desires, thus begging the question: is it madness or misery?

Recommended for children and teenagers from 16 years