Oxford Lieder Festival: Kate Royal, Christine Rice and Julius Drake

Our Opening Night recital brings together three great artists and a wonderful selection of songs. Kate Royal is one othe world’s best-known sopranos, who last appeared at the Festival in a memorable, sell-out recital in 2018, and we are thrilled to welcome the equally celebrated mezzo-soprano Christine Rice, who appears at the Festival for the first time. Joined by the pre-eminent pianist Julius Drake, they perform songs and duets by Robert Schumann and Johannes Brahms, two composers whose friendship and mutual admiration was immensely important in the history of song. This vital friendship circle is completed by the inclusion of songs by Clara Schumann, performed by our Emerging Artists to open the concert. The evening concludes with a group of songs by Kurt Weill, including settings of his close friend Bertolt Brecht.