The festival is delighted to welcome American soprano Christine Brewer, widely regarded as one of today鈥檚 greatest interpreters of Richard Strauss鈥檚 achingly beautiful songs 鈥� his farewell to the world.

The songs are the centrepiece of an evening of romantic nostalgia, beginning with Wagner鈥檚 lovely reminiscence of his great 鈥楻ing鈥� cycle, played on Christmas morning as a present to his wife Cosima.

Elgar鈥檚 affectionate tribute to his 鈥榝riends pictured within鈥� contains humour as well as regret, but ends in uplifting triumph.