Vasari Singers
Jeremy Backhouse

"one of the world's finest choirs" Rob Barnett, Classical MusicWeb International

"one of the most accomplished small choral groups of our time" Gramophone Magazine

"distinguished singing from a superb choir" International Record Review

Vasari Singers, under Jeremy Backhouse, is one of the UK's leading chamber choirs. Now in its 29th year, the choir performs a wide range of repertoire with passion and sensitivity to exacting standards and considerable press acclaim.

MusicWeb International's review of recording of Will Todd's 'Mass in Blue' described Vasari as "one of the world's finest choirs". In Gramophone Magazine's November 2005 review of 'Anthems for the 21st Century', Vasari was described as "a consistently outstanding choir" and "one of the most accomplished small choral groups of our time".

Vasari performs regularly in most of London's major concert venues and has taken part in numerous concerts and festivals, including the BBC Proms. The choir appears regularly on BBC Radio 3 and BBC Television, recently featuring on the BAFTA-award winning documentary soundtrack 'Seven Wonders'.

The group is acclaimed for its versatility, performing choral music from a wide range of styles and eras, from the Renaissance to contemporary. In addition, singing choral evensong is a continuing feature of Vasari's schedule, singing regularly in Canterbury Cathedral and with recent visits to Gloucester, Liverpool and Ripon Cathedrals.

New music is central to the choir's activities, commissioning over 20 works from British composers since 2000 including 10 new works to celebrate the choir's 25th Anniversary in 2005. In November 2008, the group commissioned and premièred a new choral 'Requiem' by the British Composer Gabriel Jackson.

Vasari's extensive discography reflects the choir's versatility, passion and quality. The highly acclaimed 'Cloud of Unknowing' was MusicWeb International's CD of the Year in 2007. The two CDs of works by the French composer Marcel Dupré, both received Gramophone's 'Editor's Choice'. The Howells 'Requiem' and Frank Martin 'Mass' CD was Gramophone Award-nominated, and the 2007 disc Noel Nouvelet was MusicWeb International's Recording of the Month. A new recording of Maurice Durufle's 'Requiem', with soloists Sarah Connolly Christopher Maltman, Robert Cohen, and Jeremy Filsell at the organ, has just been released on Signum in April 2009.

Vasari Singers gratefully acknowledges financial support from the PRS Foundation, the RVW Trust, the Holst Foundation, the Michael Marks Foundation, the Leche Trust, the Kenneth Leighton Foundation and valuable assistance from our sponsors including White Horse Press, Pants Production, AFM Lighting, La Sologne Publications, Sim Canetty-Clarke Photography, Metro Imaging, Genica Design, and SLDesign.

Vasari Singers is a UK Charity No. 1071299.

Programme
Bach Mass in B Minor

Vasari Singers
Southbank Sinfonia
Lucy Crowe Soprano
Claire Seaton Soprano
Michael Chance Counter Tenor
James Gilchrist Tenor
Peter Harvey Bass
Jeremy Backhouse Conductor

The concert will end at approximately 9.45pm including a twenty minute interval. Latecomers will be admitted at a suitable break in the performance.

Limited availability at all prices. Please call the box office for further information

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