Dame Felicity Lott

It is with great regret that we learnt of the death of Dame Felicity Lott with whom this University was proudly associated and to whom we awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Music in 2000.

Dame Felicity was among Britain’s best-loved sopranos and we at Leicester are indebted to her for contributing to the cultural life of this University. Not only did she perform in the newly opened Haymarket Theatre in 1974 in a production mounted by Leicester University Opera, she also returned the following year to give a recital here.

Awarding an honorary degree is a mark of the highest esteem with which the University recognises individuals who have made a transformative impact in their fields and upon society.  As the public orator remarked on this occasion, the distinction was felt by the University.

Dame Felicity created an incredible legacy and will be remembered by all for the world-class body of work she produced, the purity of her singing and her amazing artistry. Her presence in Leicester was an enormous inspiration to our students and we are all the poorer for her loss.

The University offers its deepest condolences.