Sir Simon Keenlyside and Joseph Middleton – Evening Opening Recital

Renowned British baritone Sir Simon Keenlyside will 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.