The King’s Singers

Love a cappella? Then it’s time to experience The King’s Singers LIVE! 

This evenings program:

R O Y A L B L O O D
Life in Tudor England was turbulent. Rich for its art, thought and science, but plagued by religious and social upheaval – in no small part because of the erratic mind of the period’s foremost king, King Henry VIII. Royal Blood investigates his life and his legacy, from music of his court in the early sixteenth century, then to his daughter Queen Elizabeth I and her love for music, then further into the seventeenth century. By delving into the cultural psyche of that time and exploring music on themes of life, death, health and love, we unravel the drama that characterised life at the mercy of some of England’s most intriguing and unpredictable monarchs.

Henry VIII   |  Pastime with good companie
William Byrd   |  Ne irascaris, Domine – Civitas sancti tui
William Byrd  |   O Lord, make thy servant Elizabeth, our Queen
Benjamin Britten   |  Choral Dances from Gloriana
Thomas Weelkes   |  As Vesta was from Latmos Hill descending
Thomas Tomkins  |  When David heard
Henry Purcell   |   I was glad
Richard Rodney Bennett   |   The seasons of his mercies
Trad. (arr. Bob Chilcott)  |   Greensleeves
Trad. (arr. Goff Richards)  |   Dance to thy daddy
Trad. (arr. Gordon Langford)  |   The oak and the ash
Trad. (arr. Gordon Langford)   |   Bobby Shafto
Songs in close-harmony  |   A selection of songs – to be announced during the concert – in The King’s Singers’
signature close-harmony style

“The King’s Singers oozed class … the musical qualities they embody – pinpoint precision, total rapport, crisp diction, faultless tuning and a seemingly effortless ability to switch between different stylistic requirements – are so evident.” – The Times (UK)

“Their vocal production was effortless, stylistically varied and beautifully blended, even in the most complex polyphony.” – Washington Post (DC, USA)

“The six members of The King’s Singers took their voices to places the rest of us can only dream of visiting. Every vocal nuance was crystal-clear.” – The Ann Arbor News

Patrick Dunachie / countertenor
Edward Button / countertenor
Julian Gregory / tenor
Christopher / Bruerton baritone
Nick Ashby / baritone
Jonathan Howard / bass

The King’s Singers were founded on 1 May 1968 by six choral scholars who had recently graduated from King’s College Cambridge. Their vocal line-up was (by chance) two countertenors, a tenor, two baritones and a bass, and the group has never wavered from this formation since. With 2018 marking the 50th birthday of the group, The King’s Singers have been celebrating their GOLD anniversary, which acknowledges their amazing musical heritage, as well as the bright future of vocal music in all its forms as they move into 2019.

What really distinguished the group in its early years was its musical diversity. The King’s Singers were a weekly fixture on prime-time television, celebrating popular music never usually touched by choral ensembles, and their unique British charm, combined with their precise musical craft, captured audiences’ hearts the world over. The group has consistently been welcomed on the world’s great stages throughout its history – from London’s Royal Albert Hall to the Opera House in Sydney or New York’s Carnegie Hall – as well as being ambassadors for musical excellence across the globe. Two Grammy® Awards, an Emmy® Award, and a place in Gramophone magazine’s inaugural Hall of Fame sit among the numerous accolades bestowed upon the group. This love of diversity has always fuelled The King’s Singers’ commitment to creating new music. An array of commissioned works by many of the great composers of our times – including Sir John Tavener, Toru Takemitsu, John Rutter, Luciano Berio, Nico Muhly, György Ligeti and Eric Whitacre – sits alongside countless bespoke arrangements in the group’s extensive repertoire. The group is determined to spread the joy of ensemble singing, and leads workshops and residential courses all over the world each season – 2019 will take them from the World Youth & Children’s Choir Festival in Hong Kong to their week-long Summer School within the beautiful surroundings of Cambridge University. The world may have changed a lot since the original King’s Singers came together, but today’s group is still charged by the same lifeblood – one that wants to radiate the joy singing brings every day, and that wants to give life to audiences with their virtuosity and vision for an exciting musical future.

LIMITED TIME OFFER ON THIS SHOW: ME + 3 Buy 3 tickets and get the 4th free! No promo code needed! Just select the Me + 3 price when selecting your 4 tickets and seats for purchase.