Country

:

United Kingdom

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Opera

 

The Ambrosian Singers is a renowned classical music ensemble that has been active for over five decades. The group has gained a reputation for its exceptional choral performances and has collaborated with some of the most prominent composers and conductors in the world. The Ambrosian Singers was founded in 1951 by John McCarthy, a British conductor and composer. McCarthy had previously worked as a conductor for the BBC and was keen to establish a professional choir that could perform a wide range of choral music. He named the group after St. Ambrose, the patron saint of music. The ensemble's early years were marked by a series of successful performances, including appearances at the Edinburgh Festival and the Royal Festival Hall in London. The group quickly gained a reputation for its versatility and ability to perform a wide range of choral music, from Renaissance polyphony to contemporary works. One of the Ambrosian Singers' most significant collaborations was with composer Benjamin Britten. In 1962, the group performed Britten's War Requiem at the consecration of the new Coventry Cathedral. The performance was a resounding success and helped to establish the Ambrosian Singers as one of the leading choral ensembles in the UK. Over the years, the Ambrosian Singers have worked with many other prominent composers and conductors, including Leonard Bernstein, John Williams, and Andrew Lloyd Webber. The group has also recorded extensively, with over 1,000 albums to its name. One of the Ambrosian Singers' most notable recordings was the soundtrack for the film Chariots of Fire. The group's performance of the hymn "Jerusalem" became an instant classic and helped to popularize the song in the UK. The soundtrack won an Academy Award for Best Original Score and a BAFTA Award for Best Film Music. The Ambrosian Singers have also been recognized for their outstanding contributions to choral music. In 1984, the group was awarded the Queen's Award for Music, one of the highest honors in British music. The award recognized the Ambrosian Singers' "outstanding contribution to the musical life of the nation." The ensemble's main members have changed over the years, but the group has always maintained a high standard of performance. Some of the most prominent members of the Ambrosian Singers have included sopranos Felicity Lott and Emma Kirkby, tenor Robert Tear, and bass-baritone John Shirley-Quirk. In recent years, the Ambrosian Singers have continued to perform and record, although they have scaled back their activities somewhat. The group's legacy, however, remains secure, and their recordings and performances continue to inspire and delight audiences around the world. In conclusion, the Ambrosian Singers is a classical music ensemble that has made a significant contribution to the world of choral music. Founded over five decades ago by John McCarthy, the group has gained a reputation for its exceptional performances and collaborations with some of the most prominent composers and conductors in the world. The ensemble's recordings and performances continue to inspire and delight audiences around the world, and their legacy is secure as one of the leading choral ensembles in the UK.

More....