Felicity Lott

The soprano Dame Felicity Lott talks to John Wilson about her distinguished career and cultural influences. One of Britain's best-loved sopranos, her breakthrough role was as a last minute stand-in for Pamina in The Magic Flute in 1975. Over the next four decades, she built an international career, performing at opera houses and concert halls around the world, singing works by composers including Richard Strauss, Schubert and Mozart. At home, she was seen frequently on television, sang regularly at the BBC Proms and was made a Dame in 1996. She was also the recipient of the Légion d’Honneur, France’s highest cultural award.

Dame Felicity sadly died on 15 May 2026, shortly after this programme was first broadcast.

Producer: Edwina Pitman

Music and archive used:

Ruhe sanft from Zaide, W A Mozart, sung by Felicity Lott

Rudolf the Red-nosed Reindeer, courtesy of Felicity Lott

The Last Night of the Proms, 1996, Ah! que j'aime les militaires from La grande-duchesse de Gérolstein, J Offenbach, sung by Felicity Lott

Overture to The Magic Flute, W A Mozart

An Die Musik, F Schubert, piano: Graham Johnston, sung by Felicity Lott

Licht und Liebe, F Schubert, piano: Graham Johnson, sung by Anthony Rolfe Johnson and Felicity Lott

Vier letzte Lieder: Im Abendrot, R Strauss, sung by Elisabeth Schwarzkopf

Closing scene from Capriccio, R Strauss

Act 1 from Der Rosenkavalier, sung by Anne Sofie von Otter and Felicity Lott

Act III from Der Rosenkavalier, sung by Anne Sofie von Otter, Barbara Bonney and Felicity Lott

Vier letzte Lieder: Beim Schlafengehen, R Strauss, sung by Felicity Lott