Two weeks packed with world-class concerts, talks, master-classes and more make Oxford the number one destination for song lovers this autumn. Highlights include: Sir Willard White (15 Oct), Toby Spence (23 Oct),Kate Royal (26 Oct), Mark Stone (18 Oct) and Joan Rodgers (21 Oct); Wolfgang Holzmair and Imogen Cooper(22 Oct) in an all-Schubert programme; Roderick Williams and Andrew West performing Schumann’s Dichterliebeand a major new commission from composer Robert Saxton (16 Oct); Christoph Prégardien and Roger Vignoles (25 Oct).
The complete songs of Benjamin Britten are presented in conjunction with Britten in Oxford, a year-long celebration of the composer. Over the weekend of 19/20 Oct, there will be a particular emphasis on Britten, with artists includingBenjamin Hulett, Stephan Loges and Joshua Ellicott. The final concert of this features James Bowman, who will talk about his experiences of working with Britten. Songs will also appear in the well-established lunchtime series that gives a platform to the best students from the UK’s leading conservatoires.
Oxford Lieder’s ambitious project to perform and record the complete songs of Hugo Wolf concludes with his settings of Goethe (12, 14 and 17 Oct), with artists including Roderick Williams, Andrew Kennedy, Daniela Lehner, Sophie Bevan, Jonathan Lemalu ; Oxford Lieder’s artistic director Sholto Kynoch is the pianist for the series.
Settings of Goethe will also feature in a study day devoted to the great writer and polymath and his influence on the world of song (12 Oct). Roger Vignoles will lead this year’s residential master course (20-23 Oct) and there are master classes for aspiring professionals and amateur singers. Other events include free family concerts and a screening of Tony Palmer’s latest film on Benjamin Britten Nocturne. Concerts take place in the Holywell Music Room (Europe’s oldest concert hall), New College Chapel, St Michael in the Northgate, and Oxford’s newest music venue, the beautiful church of St John the Evangelist, Iffley Road.
For full programme visit http://www.oxfordlieder.co.uk/
Tickets £6 – £30 from 01865 305305 / www.ticketsoxford.com www.oxfordlieder.co.uk