In 2026…
The 2026 Ludlow English Song Weekend marked not only the festival’s 25th anniversary, but also celebrated the 70th anniversary of English composer Gerald Finzi’s death.
Our festival opened with baritone Roderick Williams and artistic director Iain Burnside premiering new songs by American composer Libby Larsen, alongside pieces by Schubert, Schumann, and Britten. Saturday was dedicated to the music of Gerald Finzi, featuring four unique concerts of his Thomas Hardy settings, complete with responses from female poets and actors Alex Jennings and Joanna Scanlan. We closed this year’s celebrations by exploring Shakespeare’s influence on composers, culminating in a performance of Vaughan Williams’ Serenade to Music.
Browse the full festival programme below: