Our Opening Night recital brings together three great artists and a wonderful selection of songs, in the stunning setting of Christopher Wren’s Sheldonian Theatre.

Kate Royal is one of the world’s best-known sopranos, who last appeared at the Festival in a memorable, sell-out recital in 2018. 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. Their programme concludes with a group of songs by Kurt Weill, including settings of his close friend Bertolt Brecht.

At the start of this concert, and at almost every evening recital in the Festival, we present outstanding young professional musicans in our ‘Emerging Artists’ slot: a short performance that is a great platform for the artists and a superb chance for our audience to hear the next generation of star musicians. During the first week of the Festival, these slots will primarily be given by our Young Artist Platform winners, including tonight’s duo: tenor Magnus Walker and pianist Eunji Han. They perform a short group of songs by Clara Schumann, completing the friendship circle between Brahms and the Schumann family.