Leeds Song

23/06/2026

Last week, Sarah Connolly and Joseph Middleton performed Kathleen’s Songbook – a recital honouring Kathleen Evans BEM, who steps down as Chair after decades of extraordinary service to Leeds Song.

The programme, curated by Kathleen herself, reflected her lifelong love of song, while a new commission by David Matthews stands as a lasting tribute to her remarkable contribution to Leeds Song and musical life in the North.

As Middleton said, Leeds Song “simply wouldn’t exist without the tireless efforts instilled by Kathleen.”

Thank you for everything Kathleen 💛

🔗 Follow the link to read more: https://www.leedssong.com/a-tribute-in-song-leeds-song-celebrates-kathleen-evans-remarkable-contribution/

10/06/2026

📢 EVENT THIS SUNDAY

As part of Leeds Lit Fest 2026, join Hannah Stone, Rachel Curzon, and Laura Strickland for a lively conversation about writing poetry for song, their work on our Leeds Songbook project, and the Leeds stories that inspired them.

Our long-established Composers & Poets Forum has brought together student composers and Yorkshire-based poets to create new songs, performed during our annual Festival. These works, telling the stories of Leeds people through words and music, are collected in A Leeds Songbook.

📅 Sun 14 June
⏰ 12–1pm
📍 Chapel FM Arts Centre, Seacroft
🎟️ £5 + booking fee

What happens when poets take wing? They create songs! Curated by Hannah Stone (poet, musician and experienced maker of work

09/06/2026

Few artists have done more to champion song than Dame Sarah Connolly and Joseph Middleton. Next Friday, they reunite in Leeds for a special recital celebrating Kathleen Evans BEM and her many years of dedication to Leeds Song.

The programme spans some of the greatest music written for voice and piano – from Schubert, Clara and Robert Schumann, and Brahms to Mahler, Britten and Gurney – alongside the premiere of a new commission by David Matthews.

📅 Fri 19 Jun 2026 | 7.00pm
📍 Leeds Conservatoire

Join us at 6.00pm for a free pre-concert talk with Dr George Kennaway.

Book now: https://www.leedssong.com/whats-on/dame-sarah-connolly-and-joseph-middleton-kathleens-songbook/
🎥 Apple and Biscuit Recordings

21/05/2026

We are delighted to welcome Leeds Song Patron Dame Sarah Connolly and Joseph Middleton for this very special evening, dedicated to Kathleen Evans.

Celebrating Kathleen’s years of dedication to Leeds Song, the programme brings together music that inspires, consoles and uplifts — including a specially commissioned new song cycle by David Matthews.

This video is an excerpt from Urlicht by Gustav Mahler, one of the works to be performed during the recital.

📅 Fri 19 June | 7-9pm
📍 Leeds Conservatoire

Book now: https://www.leedssong.com/whats-on/dame-sarah-connolly-and-joseph-middleton-kathleens-songbook/

🎤 Join us at 6pm for a free pre-concert talk with musicologist Dr George Kennaway.

20/05/2026

18/05/2026

We are deeply saddened by the death of Dame Felicity Lott, Patron of Leeds Song since 2015, and one of the most influential and admired singers in the world of song.

A wonderful artist, recitalist and inspiring masterclass leader, she gave so much to our audiences, young singers and organisation over many years. We remember her with great gratitude and affection, and send our condolences to her family and friends.

08/05/2026

Soprano .i.ams and lutenist joined Leeds Song in an intimate recital designed to mark the 400th anniversary of the death of John Dowland, performed in the remarkable setting of the Royal Armouries Museum.

Follow the link in our bio to catch up on ‘Flow My Tears’ via our YouTube channel.

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24/04/2026

Wishing our friends all the best for their 2026 Festival which opens tomorrow, running until 2 May.

The &Piano Music Festival celebrates some of the finest vocal & instrumental talent to have been nurtured in & around the North of England, in the beautiful village of Slaithwaite, Huddersfield. This year the festival presents exciting combinations of instrumental & vocal music, and features two brilliant song cycles by popular composer , including ‘Magic Lantern Tales’, which was commissioned by Leeds Song in 2016.

Other highlights include Ravel’s exquisite song cycle Sheherazade performed by acclaimed singer Katherine Broderick.

17/04/2026

Late-night song at its finest! 🌙 A lovely evening in the Howard Assembly Room Bar, as our Leeds Song Young Artists presented an informal late-night session of song, from Poisoning Pigeons in the Park to Auf der Brück.

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17/04/2026

We regret to announce that Dame Sarah Connolly has fallen ill and is unable to perform at the Leeds Song Festival closing recital. We send her our very best wishes for a speedy recovery and hope to reschedule this recital later this year.

In the meantime, we are deeply grateful to acclaimed soprano Ailish Tynan, who joins Joseph Middleton at short notice.

Ailish’s programme will include songs by Grieg, Schubert, Ravel and Duparc, alongside a selection of English and Irish song - bringing Leeds Song Festival 2026 to a rousing finale 🎶

🔗 Full programme details on our website