Tales of Beyond – Magic, Myths and Mortals
The 18th Oxford Lieder Festival (11 – 26 October 2019) inhabits a world of storytelling and fairy tales, from Norse legend to the Brothers Grimm, from the Grim Reaper to Greek myth. Concerts, talks and study days will explore life, death and the mysterious areas between and beyond, with other events including live magic, a film screening, a ghost trail and more.
World-leading singers appearing at the Festival include Louise Alder, Ilker Arcayürek, Benjamin Appl, Nikolay Borchev, Katherine Broderick, Stéphane Degout, Tara Erraught, Marcus Farnsworth, Maria Forsström, James Gilchrist, Ben Johnson, Sophie Karthaüser, Stephan Loges, Christoph Prégardien, Dorothea Röschmann, Katharina Ruckgaber, Ashley Riches, Carolyn Sampson, Thomas Oliemans, Kitty Whately and others, alongside pianists including Eugene Asti, Graham Johnson, Christopher Glynn, Matti Hirvonen, Hartmut Höll, Simon Lepper, Malcolm Martineau, Cédric Tibérghien and Roger Vignoles. Many of the most exciting emerging artists also appear.
The opening-night concert will be given by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, with Camilla Tilling and Neal Davies performing orchestral songs by Schubert and Grieg. Roderick Williams will be in residence for five days to perform Schubert’s three song cycles in the sparkling English translations by Jeremy Sams. There will be two world premieres from newly-appointed Associate Composer Cheryl Frances-Hoad, whose works will also feature throughout the Festival, as well as new commissions from composers Martin Suckling and Ross Griffey. Chamber music concerts include the Albion, Brodsky, Doric and Gildas Quartets, the Phoenix Piano Trio, and pianists Katya Apekisheva, Imogen Cooper, Ivana Gavri?, Charles Owen and Martin Sturfält. Choral music features with the Carice Singers and the Choir of Merton College.