Role

:

Ensemble

 

The Guildhall School of Music & Drama Chorus is a renowned classical music ensemble based in London, England. The chorus was founded in 1949 as part of the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, one of the leading conservatories in the United Kingdom. Over the years, the chorus has established itself as one of the premier vocal ensembles in the country, known for its exceptional musicianship and versatility. The Guildhall School of Music & Drama Chorus was founded by Walter Susskind, a Czech-born conductor who had fled to England during World War II. Susskind was appointed as the first conductor of the chorus, and he quickly set about building a group of talented singers from the student body of the Guildhall School of Music & Drama. The chorus made its debut in 1950, performing Handel's Messiah at St. Paul's Cathedral in London. From the outset, the Guildhall School of Music & Drama Chorus was known for its high standards of musicianship and its commitment to performing a wide range of repertoire. Under Susskind's leadership, the chorus quickly gained a reputation for excellence, and it began to attract attention from audiences and critics alike. In 1953, the chorus was invited to perform at the Edinburgh Festival, one of the most prestigious arts festivals in the world. The performance was a resounding success, and it helped to establish the chorus as a major force in the world of classical music. Over the years, the Guildhall School of Music & Drama Chorus has performed with some of the most renowned conductors and orchestras in the world. In 1963, the chorus performed Beethoven's Ninth Symphony with the London Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Sir Colin Davis. The performance was widely acclaimed, and it helped to cement the chorus's reputation as one of the leading vocal ensembles in the country. In addition to its collaborations with major orchestras, the Guildhall School of Music & Drama Chorus has also performed in its own right, presenting a wide range of choral works from across the centuries. The chorus has performed works by composers such as Bach, Mozart, Brahms, and Britten, as well as contemporary composers such as John Tavener and Arvo Pärt. The chorus has also performed in a variety of venues, from major concert halls such as the Royal Albert Hall to more intimate settings such as churches and cathedrals. One of the highlights of the Guildhall School of Music & Drama Chorus's career came in 1995, when the chorus was invited to perform at the BBC Proms, one of the most prestigious classical music festivals in the world. The chorus performed Beethoven's Missa Solemnis with the London Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Sir Colin Davis, and the performance was widely acclaimed. The chorus has since returned to the Proms on several occasions, performing works such as Verdi's Requiem and Mahler's Eighth Symphony. In addition to its performances, the Guildhall School of Music & Drama Chorus has also been recognized for its exceptional musicianship with a number of awards and accolades. In 2002, the chorus was awarded the prestigious Gramophone Award for Best Choral Recording for its performance of Britten's War Requiem. The recording, which was made with the London Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Richard Hickox, was widely praised for its clarity and emotional depth. Today, the Guildhall School of Music & Drama Chorus continues to be one of the leading vocal ensembles in the United Kingdom.

More....