And we’re off! Armonico Consort is 20 and we’re planning to celebrate like any 20-year-old would! There’ll be special events, new commissions, birthday concerts, parties, exciting initiatives and plenty of collective reminiscences.
It’s a wonderful opportunity to celebrate all that Armonico has achieved since it was founded by Artistic Director Christopher Monks in 2001, and look forward to the future with just as much passion and excitement.
During the year we’ll be using social media to share a whole selection of our favourite occasions, memories, photos and musical moments, and we hope you’ll join in and contribute your favourites too. Keep your eyes peeled on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
We start the anniversary with a tour of Bach’s St Matthew Passion, a cornerstone of the Baroque music repertoire for which Armonico Consort is famous. Christopher says:
“It feels incredibly exciting to celebrate our milestone as the world emerges from lockdown. Tickets for all concerts have never sold as quickly as they are now, and to start the year with a work which has been by my side for all of my time with Armonico feels totally fitting.”
The magnificent Royal Albert Hall is the backdrop for Carmina Burana, showcasing our world-class singers and instrumentalists with superb soloists and a chance to bring in young singers from our AC Academy choirs, AC Academy Scholars and members of our Voice Squad workplace choirs.
Our 20th Birthday Concert on 25 September and subsequent tour, features some of our favourite music – Striggio, Biber and Tallis – in glorious Renaissance surround-sound. Before the year is over, we’ll have played Francesco Scarlatti and Bach with Rachel Podger and Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons with Jennifer Pike, enjoyed a Come and Sing at Christmas with John Rutter, given Armistice performances of Karl Jenkins’ The Armed Man and toured Bach’s St John Passion to name just a few.
We’ll also be premiering a new commission by Toby Young for 5000 voices and orchestra, expanding our Choir Creation scheme internationally with projects in Mexico and Kenya, creating our first Memory Choir for people living with dementia and setting up a project to nurture and secure the next generation of musicians and music leaders.
It’s going to be a thrilling year and we’re looking forward to having you with us for every moment of it.
