Nigel Foster founded the London Song Festival in 2007 with a mission to 'fly the flag' for Song. This wonderful art-form, ranging from Schubert to Britten and beyond, is a unique joining together of music and poetry that is capable of expressing great beauty and emotional depth in ways that can equal or even surpass any other genre.

"Superb artistry from both performers, a privilege to be at the recital." 

 

The London Song Festival takes a different theme or themes each year, often using composers' or poets' anniversaries as a starting point. Audiences can expect to hear rarely performed and perhaps unpublished vocal gems presented alongside standard repertoire in unusual and innovative programming. A typical London Song Festival programme might place a Berlioz song next to a Kurt Weill, or Schubert next to Noel Coward in ways that are perhaps unexpected, perhaps unorthodox, but always coherent, interesting and exciting. Three unpublished songs by Debussy were highlights of a 2012 performance of all the songs he wrote for Madame Vasnier. 2008 saw performances of all the solo songs of Vaughan Williams, and the songs of Verdi and Wagner were presented in their entirety in 2013. 

“Beautifully devised and presented”

“As good as the Met singers I saw recently”

The London Song Festival is friendly, warm and welcoming. Refreshments are served during the interval, and audience members are increasingly returning to enjoy the relaxed and unstuffy atmosphere of the concerts. 

Detailed programme booklets are a much-loved feature of the London Song Festival. They enable both the novice and the experienced listener to appreciate the songs fully: all the texts are written out in full, translations given where applicable and historical and background information about the composers and poets provided. The poet is always given equal prominence to the composer. 

"Lovely selection of songs - very informative programme"

"Elegant piano playing, beautifully balancing the singers."

"Wonderful controlled and expressive singing. Bravi!"

"The song festival always has interesting themes and programme full of surprises"

"Amazingly well researched with a terrific programme. Performers put over the songs with style, ‘edge’ and conviction."

“Fascinating programme with excellent singers and pianist. Accommodating ushers and good refreshments”

“Fantastic! So much variation - truly wonderful”

“Great fun!”

“Beautiful and inspiring”

“As close to perfect as I have ever heard”