A tribute to Dame Felicity Lott

A tribute to Dame Felicity Lott DBE (1947–2026)

It is with deep sadness that City of London Sinfonia mourns the passing of our beloved patron Dame Felicity Lott, who died on 15 May 2026, aged 79.

Dame Felicity was one of the most extraordinary artists of her generation: a soprano of rare luminosity who built an international career spanning four decades, performing at opera houses and concert halls around the world.

But for those of us who knew her, what we will remember most is simply this; she was the nicest person imaginable. Adored by everyone she met. CLS was lucky enough to work with her on a project with children in East London, where she sang Somewhere Over the Rainbow. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house. That moment captures something essential about who she was — a world-class artist who gave everything to every room she was in, whether a grand opera house or a school hall in Hackney.

That spirit is at the heart of what we try to do at CLS. Music that reaches beyond the stage and into people’s lives.

We will miss her enormously. Our thoughts are with her family.

John Singer
Chair of the board of City of London Sinfonia

Photo credit: Trevor Leighton