For the 2023 festival, the LMF have adopted the theme of ‘Celebrating Women in Music’. In the past, women musicians were often denied the opportunity to learn, compose, and sometimes perform music, which was not something that happened to their male counterparts. Perfect examples of this are Clara Schumann and Fanny Mendelssohn.
Clara was a talented composer, but only managed to produce 66 works. She lived 30 years longer than husband Robert, whose output totals nearly 3 times hers.
Fanny Mendelssohn had to resort to having some of her works published in her brother’s name, and was told by her father that “Music will perhaps become Felix’s profession, while for you it can, and must, be only an ornament”.
Today, although much has changed, we still live in a classical music world where the majority of trios, quartets and ensembles are predominantly male. The gender inequality is not as dire as it was in centuries bygone, but it still exists, and still limits women.
This year’s festival will feature concerts that, aside from one act, are all female musicians. VOCES8, the only group not to be all female, will, like all of the 2023 artists, showcase female composers alongside better known male composers.
You will find details of our concerts under the ‘forthcoming concerts’ tab, and many of these are expected to sell out, so please book early to avoid disappointment. We are limited to a maximum of 200 at St Mary’s.
Full details of the festival can be found here.
