Period

:

Classical

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Symphony

 

The London Festival Chorus is a renowned classical music ensemble that has been captivating audiences with its exceptional performances for over five decades. Founded in 1966, the choir has established itself as one of the most prominent choral groups in the world, with a reputation for excellence in both classical and contemporary music. The London Festival Chorus was founded by Terry Edwards, a British conductor and composer who had a vision of creating a choir that would perform a wide range of music, from the traditional choral repertoire to contemporary works. Edwards had previously worked with the London Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and he wanted to create a choir that would be able to perform with these orchestras and other leading ensembles. The choir's first performance was in 1967, when it performed Handel's Messiah with the London Symphony Orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall. The performance was a huge success, and it marked the beginning of a long and fruitful collaboration between the choir and the orchestra. Over the years, the London Festival Chorus has worked with many of the world's leading conductors and orchestras, including Sir Colin Davis, Sir Simon Rattle, and Valery Gergiev. The choir has also performed at some of the world's most prestigious venues, including the Royal Albert Hall, the Barbican Centre, and the Sydney Opera House. The London Festival Chorus is made up of around 200 singers, who are all volunteers. The choir is known for its high standards of performance, and its members are selected through a rigorous audition process. The choir's repertoire includes a wide range of music, from the traditional choral works of Bach and Handel to contemporary works by composers such as John Adams and Steve Reich. One of the highlights of the London Festival Chorus's career was its performance of Verdi's Requiem at the Royal Albert Hall in 1977. The performance was conducted by Carlo Maria Giulini, and it was widely regarded as one of the greatest performances of the work ever given. The choir's performance was praised for its clarity, precision, and emotional intensity, and it cemented the choir's reputation as one of the world's leading choral ensembles. Another notable performance by the London Festival Chorus was its collaboration with the rock band Queen in 1979. The choir performed on the band's album "A Night at the Opera," and it also performed with the band at the Hammersmith Odeon in London. The collaboration was a groundbreaking moment in the history of classical music, and it helped to bring the choir to a wider audience. The London Festival Chorus has also been recognized for its outstanding performances with numerous awards and accolades. In 1983, the choir was awarded the Gramophone Award for Best Choral Performance for its recording of Britten's War Requiem. The choir has also been awarded the Royal Philharmonic Society Music Award and the Olivier Award for Best New Opera Production. In addition to its performances with leading orchestras and conductors, the London Festival Chorus has also collaborated with a wide range of other artists and ensembles. The choir has worked with the Royal Ballet, the English National Opera, and the London Sinfonietta, among others.

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