Leeds Lieder, the acclaimed organisation known for championing art song, is changing its name to Leeds Song ahead of its 20th anniversary Festival (5 – 12th April 2025).
This subtle but significant shift signals the Festival’s evolving vision, expanding reach, and continued commitment to sharing the power of song with as many people as possible.
“The word ‘Lieder’ refers to the most glorious and rich corner of the song repertoire but can feel unfamiliar to some audiences,” comments Artistic Director Joseph Middleton. “By contrast, Leeds Song encapsulates much more of what we do – it says, ‘we cast our net wide with regards repertoire, and chimes with our ambition to make this great art form for everyone’. Our Festival is a celebration of song in all its forms – a way to compliment the past while embracing the future. We’re honouring the spirit of Leeds Lieder – its commitment to excellence, its passion
for education and community, its trailblazing commissioning of new works, and its dedication to bringing the very best of song to Leeds. As Leeds Song, we’ll continue to welcome new audiences and fill the city with song.”
Founded in 2004 by Jane Anthony and a team of volunteers, Leeds Song began as a response to a gap in the UK musical landscape: the opportunity to experience live art song outside of London. From its first Festival of Song in 2005, the organisation has grown to become one of the UK’s most cherished festivals. Under the artistic direction of pianist Joseph Middleton since 2014, the Festival has expanded to a week-long annual celebration, supported by a loyal audience both in person and on-line. Leeds Song audiences enjoy increasingly ambitious programming.
Today, the Festival welcomes world-class performers to Leeds, commissions new work from a broad range of voices, and delivers award-winning education and community projects that engage thousands each year – including the Leeds Songbook: a poetry and composition initiative fostering creativity across the city. While the Festival continues to honour its foundations in the Lieder tradition, the programme now spans a wide array of song from many cultures and genres – this year from Schubert to David Bowie, Helen Grime to Claude Debussy.
The upcoming Leeds Song Festival features an exciting line-up, including performances by world-class soloists such as Florian Boesch, Christoph Prégardien, Alice Coote, Roderick Williams, Patricia Nolz, Erika Baikoff, Kitty Whately, Katharina Konradi, Graham Johnson and Julius Drake. Gareth Malone leads a community Bring and Sing event, while the much-acclaimed Leeds Songbook returns, setting poems by local people to music. Composer in Residence Helen Grime presents a world premiere performed by Louise Alder and Joseph Middleton, and the programme includes masterclasses, Young Artist showcases, and performances in unusual venues exploring themes such as women in brewing and Black Lives in Music.
For full programme information, ticketing, and live streaming details, visit www.leedssong.com.