The week of 20 November was an exciting one for Leeds Lieder, with two special events to launch the 2018 Festival.
On Monday, Bob and Elisabeth Boas kindly welcomed us to their beautiful Robert Adam house in London, where soprano Carolyn Sampson and Joseph Middleton delighted guests with a recital of songs by Schumann, Vaughan Williams, Frank Bridge and Walton. Interviewed by our founder Chairman, David Hoult, Carolyn and Joseph spoke about their passion for song, Festival plans and the crucial importance of music education in schools.
On Wednesday, baritone Benjamin Appl and Joseph gave the second of this season’s recitals presented in association with our partner organisation, the Howard Assembly Room at Opera North. A capacity audience enjoyed songs by Beethoven, Ivor Gurney, Marion Ingoldsby and Grieg, and Schumann’s Dichterliebe. At the reception which followed, guests heard about plans for the Festival and were able to chat to Benjamin and Joseph over drinks. We are extremely grateful to Bob and Elisabeth Boas and Richard Ashton, the General Manager of the Howard Assembly Room, for their generous support. The 2018 Leeds Lieder Festival is now well and truly launched!