SIMON PAINSHAW

First Oboe of the RSO. A walking Grove’s Dictionary who spends his time brooding on his reeds.

PEGGY PARKER

Owner of Parker and Parker department store in Rutminster High Street. A bossy boots and overbearing member of the RSO board.

ROGER ‘SONNY’ PARKER

Her frightful son, a composer of even more frightful modern music.

MISS PARROTT

The rather heavenly RSO harpist.

JULIAN PELLAFACINI

The highly respected leader of the New World Symphony Orchestra.

LUISA PELLAFACINI

His lovely bosomy wife.

NATALIA PHILIPOVA

An apparently untalented Czechoslovak pianist.

PETER PLUMPTON

First Flute of the RSO.

MISS PRIDDOCK

Mark Carling’s secretary, beloved of Old Cyril. An unfazed old trout.

ROBERTO RANNALDINI

Mega-Maestro and arch fiend, currently musical director of the New World Symphony Orchestra.

KITTY RANNALDINI

His third wife, in love with Lysander Hawkley.

JACK RODWAY

A randy receiver.

SISTER ROSE

A sympathetic nurse at Northladen General Hospital.

ABIGAIL ROSEN

American violinist, nicknamed ‘L’Appassionata’ whose dazzling talent and tigerish beauty have taken the world by storm.

THE RUTSHIRE BUTCHER

A very critical critic.

SANDRA

Christopher Shepherd’s secretary.

FLORA SEYMOUR

Wild child, pilgrim soul and daughter of Georgie Maguire. Destroyed by a teenage affaire with Rannaldini, now concentrating on the viola.

CHRISTOPHER SHEPHERD

Abigail Rosen’s agent, a control freak, who provides the respectable front of Shepherd Denston.