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.

AM Session: 10.00am – 12.30pm
PM Session: 2.30pm – 5.00pm

Our annual Mastercourse is a wonderful opportunity for brilliant young musicians to immerse themselves in song and work with top international artists. For the first time this year, the students will be primarily drawn from our Young Artist programme. The Festival’s Artist in Residence, Mark Padmore, will lead the course, working with the students throughout, and joined each day by a guest tutor. All sessions are open to the public and run concurrently in Trinity College’s Levine Building and Chapel. The Mastercourse culminates in a showcase concert on the closing day

• Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
  • • Prometheus D674
    • Grenzen der Menschheit D716
    • Ganymed D544
    • Memnon D541
    • Am Strome D539
    • Auf der Donau D553
    • Der Sieg D805
    • Der Schiffer D536
• Carl Loewe (1796-1869)
  • • Die Uhr Op. 123 No. 3
    • Der heilige Franziskus Op. 75 No. 3
    • Der gefangene Admiral Op. 115
    • Odins Meeresritt Op. 118
• INTERVAL
• Richard Strauss (1864-1949)
  • • Heimliche Aufforderung Op. 27 No. 3
    • Der Einsame Op. 51 No. 2
    • Cäcilie Op. 27 No. 2
    • Befreit Op. 39 No. 4
    • Allerseelen Op. 10 No. 8
• Gustav Mahler (1860-1911)
  • • Des Knaben Wunderhorn
      • Revelge
      • Zu Strassburg auf der Schanz
      • Der Tamboursg’sell
      • Urlicht