Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Symphony

 

The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir is a classical music ensemble based in Liverpool, England. It was founded in 1840 as part of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Society, which was established to promote the performance and appreciation of classical music in the city. The choir has a long and distinguished history, having performed with some of the world's leading conductors and soloists. Its members are drawn from all walks of life, and include both amateur and professional singers. One of the highlights of the choir's early history was its performance of Handel's Messiah in 1857, which was conducted by the composer's great-nephew, Sir George Smart. This was the first time that the work had been performed in Liverpool, and it was a great success. Over the years, the choir has continued to perform a wide range of classical works, including oratorios, operas, and choral symphonies. It has also commissioned new works from contemporary composers, such as John Tavener and James MacMillan. One of the choir's most famous performances was its rendition of Benjamin Britten's War Requiem in 1962, which was conducted by the composer himself. This was a particularly poignant occasion, as Liverpool had been heavily bombed during World War II, and many of the choir's members had lost friends and family in the conflict. In 1991, the choir was awarded the prestigious Royal Philharmonic Society Music Award for its performance of Mahler's Symphony No. 8, which was conducted by Sir Charles Mackerras. This was a major achievement for the choir, and helped to cement its reputation as one of the leading choral ensembles in the UK. In recent years, the choir has continued to perform at a high level, under the direction of conductors such as Vasily Petrenko and Andrew Manze. It has also collaborated with other leading orchestras and choirs, both in the UK and abroad. One of the choir's most recent highlights was its performance of Verdi's Requiem in 2018, which was conducted by Petrenko and featured soloists including soprano Erika Grimaldi and bass Alexander Vinogradov. This was a particularly emotional occasion, as it marked the end of Petrenko's tenure as the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra's chief conductor. Overall, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir has a rich and varied history, and has played a significant role in the cultural life of Liverpool and the wider UK. Its members have worked tirelessly to promote the performance and appreciation of classical music, and have inspired generations of singers and musicians.

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