http://www.belmontensemble.com

Belmont Ensemble of London and English Chamber Choir
Peter G Dyson - Conductor

The Belmont Ensemble of London was founded by its Musical Director Peter G Dyson, and made its highly successful debut at St John's, Smith Square in 1991, winning instant critical acclaim "An impressive and enjoyable evening". The Ensemble celebrated its tenth anniversary year in 2001, and yet receives no subsidies, relying purely on enterprising programming and box office receipts.

Belmont Ensemble was pioneering in its performances of Baroque Music at St Martin-in-the-Fields in the early 1990s where they have now given literally hundreds of concerts, attracting large international audiences to their concerts; they are also regular performers at London's South Bank Centre. As well as performing in the capital, the Ensemble has appeared at numerous Festivals and Music Societies around the country, from Somerset to Sussex and Ludlow to Northampton.

They have broadcast on BBC Radio 3, Classic FM and Channel 4 Television and have several CD recordings to their credit.

"One of the UK's most exciting young orchestras...a fabulous concert." - Classic FM

"Transparency of articulation under the detailed direction of Peter Gilbert-Dyson." - The Strad

"Baroque Specialists" - The Times

"Quite delightful, wholly witty and wonderfully rhythmic, the ensemble's playing is light, playful and precise." - American Record Guide

The English Chamber Choir is one of the best known and busiest groups of its size based in London. It prides itself on the breadth of its repertoire and the diversity of its engagements. Based in the City, local appearances have included performances of music by John Tavener in St Paul's Cathedral and Tallis' 40-part motet Spem in Alium at the Mansion House. It has sung in all the main halls in the Southbank Centre, at the Royal Albert Hall, the Barbican, St John's Smith Square, and Cadogan Hall. It currently appears several times a year with the Belmont Ensemble at St Martin-in-the-Fields and presents its own recital programmes in several other London venues.

Further afield recent concerts have included the Barber Institute in Birmingham, Norwich and Rochester Cathedrals, and Hertford College Oxford, while in Europe the Choir has made several visits to Belgium, Bulgaria, Greece and Switzerland.

While the Choir's live performances are predominantly classical, its recording credits cover an equally diverse selection of more commercial productions. It has featured on iconic film soundtracks such as Ridley Scott's 1492, Conquest of Paradise with Vangelis, television titles include Steven Speilberg's Band of Brothers, and numerous albums including the Era series with French composer Eric Levi which have sold many millions of copies in Europe and South America.

In May 2009 the Choir appeared at Hampton Court Palace singing The Six Wives of Henry VIII with Rick Wakeman, and a few weeks later accompanied Rick in his piano and orchestra programme P'n'O at Cadogan Hall.

Programme
HAYDN AT 200 - Commemorating the 200th anniversary of the great composer's death.
May 25 - May 30 2009

Austrian born classical composer Joseph Haydn (1732 - 1809) paid his first visit to London in 1791 when, "the renowned composer so electrified the audience, as to excite an attention and a pleasure superior to any that had ever been caused by instrumental music in England." (Charles Burney - reviewer). Two centuries later, St Martin-in-the-Fields, at the heart of the country that welcomed him so warmly during that and several subsequent visits, commemorates the 200th anniversary of his death with a vibrant festival featuring a collection of his best-loved works, and lesser known gems.

English Chamber Choir
Belmont Ensemble of London
Elizabeth Weisberg Soprano
Richard Rowntree Tenor
James Lawrence Bass
Peter G Dyson Conductor

Interview with Elizabeth Weisberg »

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