The Oxford Lieder Festival

15-29 Oct 2005. Oxford Lieder was formed in 2002 to promote the neglected art of song and this month, after 3 consecutive annual festivals and rave press notices, they are presenting the 4th Oxford Lieder Festival to be held in Oxford at the Jacqueline du Pre Music Building, the Holywell Music Room and the New College Ante-Chapel. Described by festival patron Sir Thomas Allen as a happy mix of youth and experience with an element of something for everyone, this year there is to be no featured composer as in previous editions of the festival, but rather a rich variety of European and American music spanning the 17th to the 21st centuries performed by both established names as well as up-and-coming new talents. Public masterclasses, pre-concert talks and workshops will be held throughout the festival fortnight, which opens on the Sat 15 with a gala concert at the Jacqueline du Pre Music Building. Starting at 20.00, two of the BBCs New Generation Artists, Ailish Tynan, soprano and Andrew Kennedy, tenor will be performing songs by Schubert, Grainger, Weir, Britten and Strauss, accompanied by Iain Burnside at the pianoforte. Admission prices for all concerts range from 5-18. A festival pass costs 160 - concession holders 130. Full programme details, times and venues on the Oxford Lieders informative website.