Could you sing like Sappho – with Ian Rutherford (ISH 4, June 2026)

In this episode of Imaginary Song Hunt, we learn about the life and music of Sappho with Reading University’s Professor of Greek, Ian Rutherford. Who was Sappho and where do we find the details of her biography? What is a Sapphic Stanza and how should we sing it? Did people dance to Sappho’s music? We tackle all these questions and more in this exploration of history, poetry and rhythm. By the end we get a teeny little bit closer to answering the question of how to sing Sappho. 🎧 The Imaginary Song Hunt is a series about reimagining lost songs from history, using evidence, creativity, and a willingness to step beyond what’s written down. 👉  For everything Imaginary Song Hunt including side trails, bonus performances and Stef’s Zoom choir, join the Lotos Lab Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Lotos_Lab 👯‍♀️ For all the news and updates sign up for the Imaginary Song Hunt mailing list: https://song.stefconner.com/sign-up-imaginary-song-hunt 💝 Lotos Lab Tip Jar: https://lotos-lab.com/donate/ Next full episode (1st July 2026): Stef and Barnaby sing the earliest Christian hymn