Classical music festival hosts night in a brewery

It's not your average Monday night, admittedly, but this week why not grab a pint while kicking back to some music composed by a medieval nun and brewer.

"A lot of people associate beer with men, but women were actually the first known brewers," says harpist Olivia Jageurs, of the classical trio Erda Ensemble, ahead of a night of music about lady brewers at Springwell Taproom in Leeds.

"Until the Norman conquest it was actually women in their homes who were brewing the beer," says Olivia who, alongside flautist Chloe Vincent and singer Marta Fontanals-Simmons, will perform a homage to Women in Music and Brewing on 7 April.

"Then the monks took over - when they realised it could become a commercial enterprise. But women were doing it first," she declares.

The one-off celebration began with an invitation to the classical trio from Joseph Middleton, artistic director of Leeds Song - the festival formerly known as Leeds Lieder Festival - to hold an event at Springwell taproom, home of North Brewing Co.

"We were thinking of a way to make the concert site-specific, so we came up with this idea," says Olivia.

"We are doing a programme of all-female composers," she elaborates. "So we'll be talking a bit about women in brewing and playing some music - including a piece by Hildegard von Bingen, one of the earliest known female composers.

"She was a nun during the medieval times and she was also a brewer," she says of the legendary German abbess, who was also a poet and, ultimately, a saint.

It's an appropriate venue - and gig - for an ensemble who were conceived two years ago, over a pint.

"We started over a pint in the pub, after a gig we were all on. We got on really well and thought it would be fun to try playing together, the three of us," says the harpist.

"It's an unusual combination because usually with opera singers [such as Marta], if you're doing a song recital, you're always accompanied by piano - but the harp almost has the same range as a piano, and we can do so much," she adds.

Leeds Song is marking its 20th birthday with a name change, dropping the German word 'Lieder' (meaning song) in favour of the more accessible Leeds Song.

Festival director Middleton, who is himself a pianist, says the new name is intended to broaden the festival's appeal.

"If you look at the festival brochure, you'll see we're putting on events with all kinds of different cultures. You can come and hear songs in French, in Spanish, German, English and Russian. So Leeds Song feels a more appropriate name now."

And while the event still features acclaimed artists such as a night with Roderick Williams, the featured soloist at the King's coronation, in locations such as the Minster and Howard Assembly Rooms, the festival is also trying to reach a different audience, who might not typically attend a classical music festival.

"We're really interested in taking classical song out into venues that aren't tradition concert halls," says Middleton.

"We've got an event called Our People that's been put together by singer Freddie Ballentine and pianist Kunal Lahiry. It's a passion project that was borne out of the strife of the Black Lives Matter movement. It's a really extraordinary evening that will showcase queer artists' history.

"There really is something for everyone.

"There's some of the greatest artists from all over the world, but then we've also got really well-known artists from Britain as well," he says.

And the festival is not just about watching artists perform - it's also about community and the importance of singing for all, Middleton insists.

This year's programme includes an evening with choirmaster and TV personality Gareth Malone, who made his name teaching novices to sing.

"We're living in a time that's so exciting and fast-paced and there's so much amazing technology and AI, but people are also really struggling with mental health problems, loneliness and how they fit into the world," says Middleton.

"If you do feel like that, come along and try one of our gigs because it's an incredibly friendly place," he urges

"People form friendships there and it's a space where you can sit and reflect."

"These songs are all about things that are part of our lives: about nature and relationships and spirituality. And most of them involve poetry that is extraordinary, and music that can enrich lives and touch you.

"If you enjoy singing, that's really good for your health. It's a win-win."

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