Artists

Sir Simon Keenlyside baritone
Joseph Middleton piano

Renowned British baritone Sir Simon Keenlyside to give the opening recital of this year’s Festival. Internationally celebrated for his versatility and artistry on opera and concert stages around the world as well as an extensive recording catalogue, he is highly sought after as a recitalist, captivating audiences with his renditions of Lieder and song. Tonight he joins Leeds Song director and pianist Joseph Middleton to perform a recital featuring some of the greats of the art song repertoire.

Beginning with the German Romantic lyricism of Schumann and Mahler, the programme moves to the vivid English landscapes and folk-inspired songs of Vaughan Williams, Warlock and Ireland, followed by the witty and illustrative musical depictions of Ravel’s Histoires Naturelles. A sequence of atmospheric songs by Richard Strauss closes the programme, evoking woodland and winter landscapes, moonlit encounters and tender serenades.

Leeds Song Young Artist Alumni Spotlight
At the start of this evening’s concert, we are delighted to present an alumni duo from our 2027 Young Artist Programme in a 15 minute showcase performance, prior to the main recital programme.

Programme

Robert Schumann
Ballade des Harfners

Gustav Mahler
Des Antonius von Padua Fischpredigt
Frühlingsmorgen
Ablösung im Sommer
Phantasie
Der Tamboursg’sell

Ralph Vaughan Williams
The vagabond
Youth and love
The infinite shining heavens

John Ireland
Three Ravens

Peter Warlock
Piggesnie

Maurice Ravel
Histoires Naturelles

Richard Strauss
Waldesfahrt
Winternacht
Nachtgang
Wasserrose
Ständchen