We are very saddened to hear of the passing of our Vice President, Dame Felicity Lott.
Dame Felicity Lott was a well-loved and successful soprano singer, making her debut at the English National Opera in 1975.
Throughout her life, Dame Felicity performed on some of the world’s most prestigious stages, including the Royal Opera House, the Metropolitan Opera in New York, and the Opéra Bastille and Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. She also appeared in productions at the National Theatre in London’s West End and worked alongside some of the most respected conductors of her generation, including Carlos Kleiber, Sir Simon Rattle, André Previn, Sir Andrew Davis and Bernard Haitink.
In recognition of her exceptional contribution to the arts, Dame Felicity was awarded the title of Commandeur de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government in 2025, one of France’s highest cultural honours. She gave her final opera performances at the Opéra Bastille in Paris in 2024.
Alongside her remarkable musical career, Dame Felicity was a dedicated and longstanding supporter of Music in Hospitals & Care for more than 30 years. She became a Vice President in 2004 and generously gave both her time and support to the charity over the years, including performing at a gala concert in 2008 to commemorate our 60th anniversary and at our Spring into Music fundraising event in 2009.
Her passion for the power of live music and her belief in our work could be seen in everything she did for the charity. Through her generosity, encouragement and advocacy, Dame Felicity made a lasting impact on Music in Hospitals & Care and on the many people we support through live music.
Barbara Osborne, Music in Hospitals & Care’s Chief Executive, said:
“Dame Felicity was an incredibly warm, kind and supportive Vice President who cared deeply about our work and the people we reach through live music. She was wonderfully generous with her time and encouragement, and it was always a pleasure to spend time with her. Her passion for music and her genuine compassion for others shone through in every interaction. We are enormously grateful for her many years of support and friendship, and she will be greatly missed by everyone at Music in Hospitals & Care.”
Our heartfelt condolences to Dame Felicity’s family, friends and loved ones at this difficult time.
Arts in Care Homes Day: Thanking Bert Smith
This Arts in Care Homes Day, we’re taking the time to thank Moyness Care Home’s Activities Coordinator Bert Smith, who has championed live music for care homes in Dundee for over 30 years. As Bert approaches retirement, he is looking back on his career and years of work with Music in Hospitals & Care.
World Alzheimer’s Month: Lifting spirits in Cumbria
Our musician Andy McKay has been visiting wards and care homes across Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria, where we have been able to share 29 hours of live music between September 2025 and May 2026. One of the spaces Andy visited is the Ramsey Unit at Furness General Hospital, an assessment unit for patients with organic illnesses such as dementia.
Read our latest annual report
In 2025/26 we focused on setting the right note for the future. Despite a challenging landscape, we are proud of what we have been able to achieve with your support.