Role

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Ensemble

 

The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) Chorus is a renowned classical music ensemble based in Birmingham, England. Founded in 1973, the chorus has become one of the most respected and accomplished choral groups in the world, known for its exceptional performances of classical choral works. The CBSO Chorus was founded by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra's then-music director, Louis Frémaux, who recognized the need for a high-quality chorus to accompany the orchestra in its performances. The chorus was initially made up of amateur singers from the local community, but over time it has grown to include professional singers as well. One of the key figures in the early years of the CBSO Chorus was its first chorus master, Simon Halsey. Halsey, who joined the chorus in 1983, is widely regarded as one of the world's leading choral conductors, and he played a major role in shaping the chorus into the world-class ensemble it is today. Under Halsey's leadership, the CBSO Chorus has performed a wide range of classical choral works, from Bach's Mass in B Minor to Verdi's Requiem. The chorus has also collaborated with some of the world's leading conductors and soloists, including Sir Simon Rattle, Andris Nelsons, and Jonas Kaufmann. One of the highlights of the CBSO Chorus's history was its performance of Benjamin Britten's War Requiem in 2014. The performance, which marked the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of World War I, was conducted by Andris Nelsons and featured soloists Sabina Cvilak, Mark Padmore, and Hanno Müller-Brachmann. The performance was widely praised for its emotional power and musical excellence. Another notable performance by the CBSO Chorus was its rendition of Mahler's Symphony No. 8, also known as the "Symphony of a Thousand," in 2015. The performance, which featured over 1,000 musicians and singers, was conducted by Andris Nelsons and was hailed as a triumph of musical collaboration. Over the years, the CBSO Chorus has won numerous awards and accolades for its performances. In 2012, the chorus was awarded the prestigious Royal Philharmonic Society Music Award for its performance of Brahms's Ein deutsches Requiem. The chorus has also been nominated for several Grammy Awards for its recordings with the CBSO, including a recording of Britten's War Requiem conducted by Andris Nelsons. Today, the CBSO Chorus continues to be a vital part of the classical music scene in Birmingham and beyond. Under the leadership of its current chorus master, Julian Wilkins, the chorus remains committed to excellence in choral performance and to bringing the beauty and power of classical music to audiences around the world.

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