Chetham's School of Music

Generously supported by The Haworth Charitable Trust

The Manchester Song Festival is back, with a full day of live online performances and a masterclass from some of the region’s finest musical talent – presented by Artistic Director Marcus Farnsworth. 

After a year in lockdown, the festival creates an opportunity for musicians to come together, explore new collaborations and share their music with audiences around the world!  

Watch live throughout the day as we bring the music to you! 

4pm – 4.45pm Kathryn Rudge and Jonathan Fisher 

Named as a ‘Rising Star of Classical Music’ (The Times) and ‘One of Britain’s brightest young mezzos’ (What’s On Stage), mezzo-soprano Kathryn Rudge will kick-start the festival, performing alongside pianist Jonathan Fisher. The pair will perform a celebration of beautiful English songs, including Browne, Quilter, Howells and Britten. 

4.45pm – 5.15pm RNCM Songsters (Curated by Jonathan Fisher) 

The RNCM Songsters are a specially selected group of pianists and singers from The Royal Northern College of Music, who are trained to excel in song repertoire and promote the unique and intimate setting of recital. The group comprises of a variety of voices, allowing for exciting and creative repertoire programming, led by Artistic Director and RNCM staff pianist Jonathan Fisher. 

5.30pm – 6.30pm Haworth Masterclass – The Interpretation of Song 

In this masterclass, students from Chetham’s School of Music’s Vocal Department will be coached on their song interpretations by distinguished mezzo-soprano, Kathryn Rudge. The students will explore how the composer has chosen to realise the poem, and how to bring their own interpretation to bear on a great song. Watch here.

7.30pm – 8.10pm Lauren Kinsella & Kit Downes

Performing live from The Stoller Hall, vocalist and composer Lauren Kinsella will begin the evening alongside pianist Kit Downes. The duo will perform the music of drummer Paul Motian, with lyrics specially written by Lauren. Motian’s beautifully crafted folk-like miniature masterpieces provide the perfect springboard for two artists interested in risk, improvisation, lyricism and communication. Kit performs solo pipe organ and solo piano concerts – and also plays with the band ‘ENEMY’. He teaches at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where he himself studied and now holds a Fellowship. Lauren is an Irish vocalist based in London. Her work as a composer, improviser, collaborator and performer has been described as ‘truly captivating’ (For Folk’s Sake), ‘stunning’ (BBC Radio 3) and with ‘inventive curiosity and imagination’ (Irish Examiner). 

8.10pm – 9pm Katherine Broderick & Friends

The festival will finish with a recital from soprano Katherine Broderick, pianist Kathryn Stott and violist Ruth Gibson who will transport us from the UK to Europe through music and composers, including Bridge, Brahms and Strauss. The last twelve months have created new opportunities for the musicians to collaborate locally and look back on their personal and collective experiences through music. This will be one of the musicians’ first concerts together after lockdown and promises to be a poignant and uplifting performance! 

Please note: Tickets are available for the full day or separately for the evening recital only. You can book here for the evening recital only.