Join us as we launch the 2026-27 recital series with a fabulous recital of songs performed by acclaimed baritone Marcus Farnsworth and pianist Libby Burgess. The concert will include Vaughan Williams Songs of Travel and music by Schubert and Mahler.
“…velvet-voiced baritone Marcus Farnsworth.” The Guardian
Pianist Libby Burgess is well-known on concert stages across Britain, playing as song specialist and chamber musician in the country’s major halls and festivals, and on Radio 3. Equally admired for her programming, she is founding Artistic Director of New Paths Music, curating fourteen festivals of song, chamber music and community outreach, and was Co-Artistic Director with Martin Roscoe of the Beverley Chamber Music Festival 2018-2022.
Libby’s recent calendar includes song concerts at Wigmore Hall, Oxford Lieder, Leeds Lieder and Aldeburgh Festival; The Rite of Spring with Chris Hopkins; the complete Beethoven cello sonatas with five cellists; and broadcasts with the BBC Singers. Her premiere with Marcus Farnsworth of Cheryl Frances-Hoad’s Everything Grows Extravagantly was selected as a Times highlight of the year. Currently undertaking a Bach marathon, Libby is performing Bach’s entire Well-Tempered Clavier nationwide, to date raising over £32,000 for Help Musicians, Live Music Now, Future Talent and Youth Music.
Marcus Farnsworth
Marcus Farnsworth performs in opera, concert and recital around the world. He began his musical training as a chorister at Southwell Minster, and went on to study at Chetham’s School of Music, the University of Manchester and the Royal Academy of Music. In addition to a busy career as a performer, Marcus is Head of Vocal and Choral Studies at Chetham’s, and Founder and Artistic Director of the Southwell Music Festival.
He has appeared as a principal artist with opera companies in the UK and abroad including English National Opera, Welsh National Opera, Bergen National Opera, and Teatro Real Madrid. Equally at home on the concert platform, Marcus has performed and recorded extensively with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the London Symphony Orchestra, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Gabrieli Consort, and Aurora Orchestra. He is also a keen recitalist and an advocate for new music. He has given recitals at the Amsterdam Concertgebouw, La Monnaie, the Oxford International Song Festival, and the Wigmore Hall.
All proceeds from the concert will support the Music Flood Partnership, helping to provide inspiring musical opportunities for young people. Find out more about the Music Flood Partnership here.
