LEEDS LIEDER+ 2009

Friday 2nd – Sunday 4th October 2009

 

We are delighted to have as Artistic Director for the third Leeds Lieder+ festival the distinguished accompanist, Julius Drake and, as our Honoured Guest, the world-famous soprano, Dame Margaret Price.

 

As always, we are planning a feast of glorious song for all to enjoy, with internationally renowned artists performing alongside the best of emerging young talent, and two world premières.  It is almost impossible to select highlights from the programme, but, to mention just a few:-

 

Mezzo soprano Christianne Stotijn and Julius Drake take The Woman’s Point of View in a recital including Schumann: Frauenliebe und Leben and a new work by John Woolrich specially commissioned for the festival by Leeds Lieder+. 

 

Acclaimed tenor James Gilchrist, Julius Drake and the Endellion String Quartet present a programme of English song, including Vaughan Williams: On Wenlock Edge, Ivor Gurney: Ludlow and Teme and the second of the Leeds Lieder+ commissioned works for 2009, a new piece for tenor and piano by Gavin Bryars.

 

Allan Clayton, whose recent performances as Albert Herring for Glyndebourne and Lampwick in Jonathan Dove’s The Adventures of Pinocchio for Opera North were highly praised, sings Die schöne Müllerin.

 

Joan Rodgers is justly renowned for her interpretation of the Russian art song repertoire, and, in the final recital of the weekend, she sings works by Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov, Mussorgsky and Shostakovich.  Her programme also includes works by Fauré.

 

Once again, we are delighted to be bringing some outstanding young artists to Leeds.  Mezzo soprano Anna Stéphany will be joined by baritone Philip Smith and pianist Jonathan Fisher in a Made in Yorkshire recital at Holy Trinity, Boar Lane; and Australian soprano Martene Grimson, baritone Jonathan Sells and pianist Simon Lane will perform at the Clothworkers Centenary Concert Hall.

 

We are committed to providing opportunities for talented artists to develop their skills.  Dame Margaret Price will share the insights and wealth of experience gained during her distinguished career at a public Masterclass with students from the national conservatoires.  Composers and poets will collaborate in partnerships during the months running up to the festival.  During the weekend, they will come together for a day-long Forum at which they will discuss the work produced with a panel of experts, and their work will be then be performed at a public Showcase.

 

All this, together with a World Song workshop and concert, an entertaining late-night cabaret, a fun, interactive Discovering Lieder+ concert, parties and pre-performance talks, makes a wonderful weekend of magnificent music making that lovers of song simply can’t afford to miss.

 

Full details and booking information will be available towards the end of May 2009.  Why not join the Friends of Leeds Lieder+ to be among the first in the know, ensure priority booking, and receive an invitation to an exclusive end-of-festival Reception?  Just click on the link below to download an application form.    We look forward to welcoming audiences old and new to Leeds Lieder+ 2009.