Early Music Vancouver (EMV), proudly presents one of the world’s most respected and recognized choral ensembles, The Choir of King’s College, Cambridge at the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, March 26, 2017 at 2pm in the Chan Shun Concert Hall. In a rare Vancouver appearance, revered Director of Music, Dr. Stephen Cleobury, will lead the iconic choir of Men and Boys in a mixed programme of repertoire from across the centuries.
“Founded by King Henry VI in 1441, the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge has been a center for musical excellence for over 600 years. Its alumni include literally hundreds of important musicians who, in their time as choir members, received a unique and rigorous training preparing them for professional careers in music,” explained Matthew White, Early Music Vancouver Artistic Director.
The Choir of King’s College, Cambridge, clad in their iconic red and white robes, has become one of the world’s most recognized all-male choral ensembles. The choir is comprised of 16 boy sopranos or “trebles” (aged between nine and 13 years), 14 male undergraduates who sing the alto, tenor and bass parts, as well as two organ scholars. Current Director of Music, Dr. Stephen Cleobury, took over from the late Sir Philip Ledger in 1982.
The English choral tradition, of which King’s is a shining example, is one of the strongest and most disciplined choral traditions in the world. When Henry VI founded King’s College almost 600 years ago, he insisted that those chosen to sing in the choir must be poor boys of strong constitution and ‘honest conversation.’ They had to be under twelve years of age when admitted, and already able to read and sing at sight. With the exception of a few years in the 1550’s under the reign of Edward VI and during the period of the Commonwealth in the 1650s when choral services in the Chapel were forbidden, the Choir has been singing services continuously for more than 500 years.
For their performance at the Chan Centre, the choir will perform works by European composers spanning four centuries including Byrd, Mundy, Gibbons, Ravel, Messianen, Fauré, and Durufle as well as Poulenc, Gabrieli, Purcell, Bruckner, Stanford, Whitlock and Brahms.
Early Music Vancouver presents: The Choir of King’s College, Cambridge
Date: Sunday, March 26, 2017 at 2pm
Pre-Concert Talk: Sunday, March 26, 2017 at 1:15pm with Matthew White and Dr. Stephen Cleobury
Address: Chan Centre for the Performing Arts University of British Columbia 6265 Crescent Road
Ticket Prices: From $18.00
Box Office: earlymusic.bc.ca or 604-822-2697