Ludlow English Song Weekend | Exploring

A three day celebration of music featuring the very best classical artists from the UK and around the world.

Taking place over three days every April, LESW is a celebration of art song in English featuring some of the very best classical artists from the UK and around the world. 

Since 2002, the festival has been welcoming audiences to concerts by top performers, plus film-screenings, masterclasses and discussions -  all in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere and a beautiful setting. Expect fresh encounters with composers like Vaughan Williams, Finzi and Britten, alongside surprising connections, neglected gems and brand new songs.

Singers including Roderick Williams, Carolyn Sampson, Nicky Spence and James Newby have appeared in past years, along with musicians including the Gildas Quartet and guitarist Sean Shibe. Visit our website to find out what’s on next.

A rare and complete joy 
Sir John Tomlinson

Ludlow English Song Weekend is led by Artistic Director Iain Burnside, pianist and Sony Award-winning BBC Radio 3 broadcaster (“pretty much ideal” BBC Music Magazine). Iain has performed in recitals with many of the world’s leading singers, and has had the privilege of working with Dame Margaret Price, Victoria de los Angeles, Galina Gorchakova and Susan Chilcott. Recent collaborators include Rosa Feola, Ailish Tynan, Lawrence Brownlee and Roderick Williams.He has curated a number of recital series featuring both English and Russian repertoire for the Wigmore Hall, and his discography of over sixty recordings straddles an exuberantly eclectic repertoire ranging from Beethoven to Judith Weir, with a special place reserved for the highways and byways of English Song.

Goes from strength to strength
The Observer