This spring, Leeds Song celebrated a milestone – 20 years since the very first Festival – and what a celebration it was! Over eight unforgettable days, we welcomed over 4,000 people to live events across Leeds, while thousands more joined us online or tuned in via BBC broadcasts. Whether in a grand concert hall or a buzzing taproom, song was everywhere – and everyone was invited.

A New Name, A Wider Welcome

2025 marked not just an anniversary, but a fresh chapter in our story. With the launch of our new name – Leeds Song – we embraced a wider vision for the Festival: to celebrate song in all its forms, and to make sure everyone feels welcome.

The change from Leeds Lieder to Leeds Song reflects our ever growing diversity of repertoire, artists and audiences, and a deep belief that song is for everyone.

World-Class Music, Everywhere

From the spellbinding opening recital by Florian Boesch and Joseph Middleton, to the poetic beauty of Christoph Prégardien’s performance of Die schöne Müllerin that closed the Festival, this year’s programme was packed with musical treasures.

Across the 8-day festival, we were treated to a remarkable line-up of international stars and rising voices, including: Florian Boesch (baritone), Christoph Prégardien (tenor), Katharina Konradi (soprano), Louise Alder (soprano), Roderick Williams OBE (baritone), Erika Baikoff (soprano), Carolyn Sampson OBE (soprano), Beth Taylor (mezzo-soprano), Kitty Whately (mezzo-soprano), Freddie Ballentine (tenor), and Martha Fontanals-Simmons, Chloë Vincent, and Olivia Jageurs of The Erda Ensemble. These extraordinary singers were joined by a team of pianists and collaborators including: Joseph Middleton, Julius Drake, Andrew West, Kunal Lahiry and Natalie Burch.

We heard favourites from Schubert and Wolf, radiant French melodies by Ravel and Debussy, contemporary premieres like Helen Grime’s Seasons, and programmes that spoke powerfully to our times—including themes of identity, memory, protest, and celebration.

Some of the most memorable performances took place beyond the traditional concert stage. Springwell Brewery became an atmospheric venue for a celebration of female composers with The Erda Ensemble. At The Attic, a grassroots music venue, Freddie Ballentine and Kunal Lahiry’s powerful recital explored race, resistance, and pride.

Nurturing the Next Generation

Our Young Artists Programme went from strength to strength, welcoming 20 extraordinary young singers and pianists from seven countries. Over the week, they took part in masterclasses with legendary artists like Elly Ameling, Dame Felicity Lott, Sir Thomas Allen, Anna Tilbrook, Julius Drake, Scott Brooksbank and Amanda Roocroft and performed to packed audiences at masterclasses, showcases and the much-loved Lieder Lounge.

Many of our festival headliners are alumni of this scheme – it’s a true incubator of talent, and a vital part of our Festival identity.

Song Across the City

We took music out into the community with pop-up recitals in Selby, Huddersfield and Barnsley – surprising shoppers with live art song in unexpected places. At Leeds Minster, Gareth Malone led a 190-strong community choir in a moving performance of Fauré’s Requiem.

We also welcomed audiences  to our Relaxed Recital with Kitty Whately and Natalie Burch, featuring open seating, BSL interpretation and a welcoming environment for all.

Creative Education That Lasts

Our education programme reached over 1,400 pupils across 41 schools this year – introducing many to classical song for the first time. Projects like Discovering Lieder, Living Lieder, and the collaborative Leeds Songbook (which paired local poets with young composers) gave students the chance to create, perform and connect.

Our partnership with Pyramid of Arts also flourished, using music and visual art to spark joy and creativity among adults with learning disabilities and autism. The results were moving, beautiful – and unforgettable.

Thank You

To everyone who performed, participated, supported and sang along – thank you.

(Photos: Tom Arber)