Role

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Ensemble

 

ORA is a classical music ensemble that was founded in 2014 by Suzi Digby, a renowned choral conductor and music educator. The group is made up of eight professional singers who specialize in performing contemporary choral music, with a particular focus on works by female composers. The origins of ORA can be traced back to Digby's work as the founder and artistic director of the Voices Foundation, a charity that provides music education to children in the UK. Through her work with the foundation, Digby became increasingly interested in the role of choral music in contemporary culture, and in particular, the lack of representation of female composers in the classical canon. In 2014, Digby decided to form a new ensemble that would focus on performing contemporary choral works by female composers. She assembled a group of eight professional singers, all of whom had extensive experience performing in some of the UK's most prestigious choirs and ensembles. The name ORA was chosen to reflect the group's mission of bringing new life to choral music, and also to evoke the idea of a prayer or invocation. The group's repertoire includes works by a diverse range of composers, including Judith Weir, Roxanna Panufnik, and Tarik O'Regan, as well as new commissions by emerging female composers. Since its formation, ORA has quickly established itself as one of the UK's most exciting and innovative choral ensembles. The group has performed at some of the country's most prestigious venues, including the Royal Albert Hall, St. John's Smith Square, and the Barbican Centre. One of the highlights of ORA's early career was their performance at the 2015 BBC Proms, where they premiered a new work by composer Kerry Andrew. The piece, entitled "No Place Like," was a setting of a poem by Emily Dickinson, and was praised by critics for its innovative use of vocal textures and harmonies. In addition to their live performances, ORA has also released several critically acclaimed recordings. Their debut album, "Upheld by Stillness," was released in 2016 and featured works by female composers from the 16th century to the present day. The album received widespread critical acclaim, with The Guardian describing it as "a landmark recording." In 2018, ORA released their second album, "Many Are the Wonders," which focused on the music of Hildegard von Bingen, a medieval composer and mystic. The album was praised for its sensitive and nuanced performances, and was nominated for a Grammy Award in the Best Choral Performance category. Throughout their career, ORA has been committed to promoting the work of female composers and to challenging the traditional gender imbalance in classical music. The group has commissioned several new works by emerging female composers, and has also collaborated with organizations such as the Royal Philharmonic Society and the Women of the World Festival to promote gender equality in the arts. In recognition of their contributions to the world of classical music, ORA has received several prestigious awards and honors. In 2017, the group was awarded the Royal Philharmonic Society's Ensemble Award, which recognizes outstanding contributions to the field of classical music. They have also been nominated for several BBC Music Magazine Awards, and have been featured in numerous publications, including The New York Times and BBC Music Magazine.

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