ANATOLE

A tempestuously talented Russian contestant in the Appleton Piano Competition.

SISTER ANGELICA

A beautiful nun.

ASTRID

Boris Levitsky’s stunning Scandinavian au pair.

LADY BADDINGHAM

Much admired ex-wife of Tony Baddingham, the fiendish ex-chairman of Corinium Television.

BENNY BASANOVICH

A very tiresome Russian-French pianist who can only play fortissimo.

BARRY THE BASS

Principal Bass, RSO.

MRS BATESON

A music lover who befriends Marcus Campbell-Black.

JAMES BENSON

A very expensive private doctor.

BIANCA

An adorable Colombian orphan.

MRS BODKIN

Rupert Campbell-Black’s ancient housekeeper.

ROSALIE BRANDON

A bossyboots attached to the London office of Shepherd Denston, the music agents.

MILES BRIAN-KNOWLES

Detested deputy-managing director of the RSO, a snake in furry caterpillar’s clothing, who is after Mark Carling’s job.

DAVIE BUCKLE

A beaming bruiser and RSO timpanist.

EDDIE CAMPBELL-BLACK

Rupert’s father, an unreformed rake, just emerged from a fifth marriage and raring to go.

RUPERT CAMPBELL-BLACK

Ex-world show-jumping champion, now one of the world’s leading owner-trainers. Still Mecca for most women.

TAGGIE CAMPBELL-BLACK

Rupert’s wife — an angel and the apple of his once roving eye.

MARCUS CAMPBELL-BLACK

Rupert’s son by his first marriage. A pianist whose path to the top is only impeded by asthma and nerves, both chiefly induced by his father.