By the time Kathleen Ferrier died from cancer aged 41 in 1953 she was a huge international star. Possessing a remarkable contralto voice, praised by the critic and publisher Donald Mitchell for its "extraordinary radiance" and "overwhelming beauty", the public embraced her for her warm personality off stage as well as her brilliance as a performer. Her career soared under the guidance of Bruno Walter, John Barbirolli, Roy Henderson and Benjamin Britten.

This documentary uses Ferrier's letters to tell her story in her own words. Including footage never before seen on television, the film follows Ferrier from her birthplace in Lancashire, through the growth of her reputation to her premature death.

Dame Janet Baker, Lady Evelyn Barbirolli , Sir George Christie and Marion Thorpe are amongst those who discuss the life and legend of Kathleen Ferrier. Robert Lindsay narrates the programme while the letters are read by Patricia Routledge.

• Born in Blackburn, Lancashire, Ferrier worked as a telephone operator before becoming a singer
• One of Ferrier's interests was painting, she signed her pictures KK for Klever Kath
• Benjamin Britten wrote the title role of The Rape of Lucretia for Ferrier
• Her last performance was in Gluck's Orfeo at The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden in 1953

External Links

Ferrier Awards
Details of the Awards set up in her honour and how to enter

Ferrier Portraits
See images of the singer from the National Portrait Gallery, London