For Robert and Clara it was a happy ending, with the courts finding in their favour. To celebrate their success, and on the eve of their wedding, he presented her with the score of his song cycle, Frauenliebe und Leben.

It related the story of a young woman, through marriage and into motherhood, though the poems do have a rather male chauvinist view of the role of women in the world.

Premiered in the United States this summer, the theatrical presentation, Clara's Gift, comes to Leeds for its UK premiere as part of the concerts presented by Leeds Lieder+.

It uses Clara's words from her autobiography and the letters they sent during the period when they were forbidden to meet prior to their marriage. It helps to put into perspective the poems in Frauenliebe und Leben.

Devised by Olivier Award nominated actress Elizabeth Mansfield, who also acts as the narrator, the complete song cycle will be performed at the programme's conclusion by the exciting young mezzo, Karina Lucas, with pianist Simon Lane.

It offers a taster for next year's Leeds Lieder+ Festival, which opens with a performance of the same work sung by the celebrated Christianne Stotjin, and will feature great names in the world of song, including James Gilchrist, Margaret Price and Joan Rodgers.

Clara's Gift, The Venue, Leeds, Nov 11, 7.30pm. 0113 2223434. www.lcm.ac.uk