Felicity Lott

Felicity Lott

From This Cultural Life by BBC Radio 4

May 21, 2026 · 42 min

About this episode

Dame Felicity Lott discusses her illustrious career and cultural influences with John Wilson.

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…

People in this episode

Host: John Wilson

Guest: Dame Felicity Lott

Topics covered

  • opera
  • soprano
  • cultural influences
  • career
  • music

Keywords

  • Felicity Lott
  • soprano
  • opera
  • BBC Proms
  • cultural award

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: BBC Proms, Légion d’Honneur

Books & works: The Magic Flute, Zaide, La grande-duchesse de Gérolstein, Der Rosenkavalier, Vier letzte Lieder, An Die Musik

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