The choir

Nonsuch Singers is well known for its innovative programmes, high-quality singing and communicative performances. Under the direction of Graham Caldbeck, stylistic versatility has become a recognised hallmark of concerts and the choir’s repertoire encompasses a cappella and accompanied works from the Renaissance to the present day. The choir regularly performs with some of the UK’s leading instrumental ensembles and finest young vocal soloists.  

Founded in 1977, the choir typically gives seven or eight performances a year in leading London concert venues, as well as performances further afield.  Highlights of recent years have included Monteverdi’s Vespers with His Majesty’s Sagbutts and Cornetts at St Martin-in-the-Fields (recommended as “Critic’s Choice” in The Times); the televised world premiere of John Tavener’s Exhortation and Kohima in the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall; a critically acclaimed concert of French Baroque works, edited by Lionel Sawkins, with an orchestra led by Catherine Mackintosh and soloists including Andrew Kennedy and Emma Kirkby; and the first complete modern performance of Joseph-Nicolas-Pancrace Royer’s opera, Zaïde, Reine de Grenade, celebrating the 300th anniversary of the composer’s birth.

Since the appointment in 1996 of Graham Caldbeck, concerts have frequently sought to make less familiar music accessible by exploring connections between established composers and lesser-known contemporary works. Challenging contemporary pieces have often shared a platform with music from the established repertoire. This distinctive approach to programming has been remarked upon by London’s Time Out (“the choir fascinatingly blends Renaissance with modern”) and Evening Standard. 

The choir has performed some 80 works by contemporary British composers over the past twelve seasons, with rehearsals of their works attended by Diana Burrell, Gabriel Jackson, Roxanna Panufnik, John Tavener and Judith Weir. Performances have been supported by grants from leading musical and charitable foundations.   In 2008 Nonsuch gave the world premieres of two new choral works – Wild Ways, a setting by Roxanna Panufnik of Zen poems for double choir and shakuhachi (traditional Japanese bamboo flute) and The Land of Spices, an anthem by George Richford, commissioned by Choir & Organ magazine and performed at Ripon cathedral.