Much-loved Swedish soprano Miah Persson, an artist in her prime, makes her Leeds Lieder début in a programme which explores femininity and motherhood in the first half, before turning to her Scandinavian roots in the second. She is joined by Leeds Lieder Director Joseph Middleton to close the 2019 Festival in what will certainly be a must-see event for Lieder enthusiasts.

The closing masterclass of the 2019 Festival sees our outstanding duos working with the great Irish mezzo-soprano Ann Murray DBE, to find clarity of expression and a deeper understanding of the songs they have prepared. We are also proud to offer the inaugural Leeds Lieder/Schubert Institute of Great Britain Song Prize to the duo with the most promise. The winning duo will also receive an invitation to appear in the Leeds University International Concert Series next season.

Hasselhorn and Middleton juxtapose two of our featured composers in this recital. Schumann's great settings of dramatic Heine and heartbreaking Kerner poems bookend four folksongs by Brahms. German-born Hasselhorn stands at the forefront of today's young Lieder singers. A prize-winner at the Queen Elisabeth Competition, Das Lied and Wigmore International Song Competitions.

Well known for her informative, amusing, probing and highly entertaining talks, we are thrilled to welcome to Leeds one of the country’s pre-eminent Lieder specialists. Dr Natasha Loges is Head of Postgraduate Programmes at the Royal College of Music and has co-edited Brahms in the Home and the Concert Hall: Between Private and Public Performance.

Marked out early in her career as the logical successor to Christa Ludwig and Brigitte Fassbaender, Angelika Kirchschlager now enjoys a reputation as one of the finest artists currently before the public. Loved by audiences and colleagues alike for her generosity of spirit and probing intellect, this ‘in conversation’ with Andrew McGregor, well-known to BBC Radio 3 listeners as the presenter of Record Review, is guaranteed to be engaging, sincere and witty.

Two Leeds Lieder favourites join forces and bring their customary cheer to Yorkshire. Hailed by the Daily Telegraph as “a voice of real distinction,” Nicky Spence is fast emerging as “one of our brightest young tenors”. An artist of great integrity, Nicky Spence’s unique skills as a singing actor and the rare honesty in his musicianship are steadfastly earning him a place at the top of the profession.

Described in the New York Observer as ‘one of the world’s finest accompanists’, Malcolm Martineau will share the hallmarks of his playing, his ‘outstanding musical intelligence and virtuosity’ (The Telegraph) with a new generation of singers and pianists, specifically invited to be Leeds Lieder Young Artists.

This season, as well as her New Generation Artist commitments, Fatma will perform Die Schöpfung at Tonhalle Düsseldorf and in Budapest; Strauss Lieder with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in Birmingham; and will give recitals in Perth, Leeds, Dresden, Bonn, Mallorca, and at Wigmore Hall.

The finest young duos, coached over the weekend by Angelika Kirchschlager, Amanda Roocroft, Malcolm Martineau and Ann Murray DBE, showcase the songs they have been exploring. An opportunity to enjoy the next generation of Lieder singers and pianists.

We are thrilled to welcome as our Guest of Honour one of the most important artists currently appearing before the public. Acclaimed as one of the foremost interpreters of Richard Strauss and Mozart, Austrian mezzo-soprano Angelika Kirchschlager is heard on the world’s great stages and has the rare distinction of having given recitals on the main stages of La Scala Milan and the Vienna Staatsoper.

Following an afternoon of rehearsals under the inspirational leadership of Anna Lapwood, the newly formed Leeds Lieder Bring and Sing Chorus performs Vivaldi’s Gloria. Richard Gowers, formerly senior organ scholar at Kings College Cambridge accompanies.

Calling all singers! Would you like to experience the thrill of being trained by one of the UK’s leading choral trainers? Now’s your chance! Anna Lapwood has appeared at Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey and works regularly alongside Gareth Malone and the BBC. She is a prize-winning Fellow of the Royal College of Organists and today will lead rehearsals for a performance of Vivaldi’s joyful work, his Gloria.

Continuing our recent tradition of showcasing a Kathleen Ferrier Award winner, it is with special pleasure that we provide a platform to winner of the First Prize 2018 British bass William Thomas. In addition to his triumph at the Ferrier Awards, at which his pianist Michael Pandya scooped the coveted Accompanist’s Prize, William went on to win the 2018 John Christie Award for his debut at Glyndebourne, placing his star firmly in the firmament.

Lancaster-born Amanda Roocroft has secured an international reputation as one of Britain’s most exciting singers performing regularly at Covent Garden, the Met, Glyndebourne, the Bayersiche Staatsoper, and at ENO where she was won the Lawrence Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in Opera.