Miah Persson and Joseph Middleton

Internationally renowned Swedish soprano Miah Persson is joined by Leeds Lieder director Joseph Middleton for her first recital in Leeds since her brilliant Festival debut in 2019.

The first half of the evening’s programme explores Persson’s Scandinavian roots, with works by Grieg, Nystroem and Sibelius before culminating in Strauss’s Vier Letze Lieder (Four Last Songs).

Originally scored for soprano and orchestra to poems by Herman Hesse and Joseph Eichendorff, Four Last Songs were Strauss’s final completed works, first published and performed posthumously, and saw the composer return to the romanticism of his youth whilst considering themes of farewell – both to life and to art. With their near perfect unity of poetry and music, the songs are rightly considered masterpieces of the form.

“Persson’s bright and beautiful soprano sounds as young as she looks…and her artistry deepens with her every appearance. Leeds can consider itself lucky to have experienced this lovely artist at the peak of her powers.”
— The Sunday Times

Presented in partnership with Opera North.