The Renaissance Singers is a specialist chamber choir that has brought the best in Renaissance vocal music to audiences in Britain for over 80 years. Founded in London in 1944, the choir was a pioneer in the 20th century early music revival. Under its current Musical Director David Allinson, the choir maintains a busy schedule of performances, workshops and recordings. Performing Renaissance music that others do not, and aiming to engage wider audiences, the choir strives for the highest musical standards in all it does. Its programmes offer unique paths of discovery for singers and audiences alike.
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0The Renaissance Singers is one of London’s leading chamber choirs and has specialised in bringing Renaissance vocal music to audiences in Britain for over 80 years. Under its current Musical Director David Allinson, the choir maintains a busy schedule of performances, workshops and recordings.
The choir was founded by Michael Howard in June 1944 as a performing wing of the Renaissance Society. It set out to perform neglected masterpieces to new audiences and even sang one early concert during an air raid. Making pioneering recordings from the 1950s onwards on the Decca label, the choir played a key role in the early music revival in Britain.
Recent highlights for the choir have included performances of Brean Hammond’s immersive drama Master Byrd at Ingatestone Hall, the first modern performance of the Requiem Mass by Manuel Mendes, adapted for Puebla Cathedral in Mexico by Gonçalo Saldanha, recording two compline services for broadcast on BBC Radio 3, and collaborations with guest conductors Gareth Wilson, Patrick Allies and Sally Dunkley.
The choir’s open workshops offer anyone with some singing ability the chance to join forces with The Renaissance Singers and be coached on Renaissance repertoire by distinguished conductors and singers. Recent workshop leaders have included Robert Hollingworth, Rory McCleery, Greg Skidmore, Laurie Stras, David Allinson, Sarah Latto and Tim Braithwaite.
