Conductor

In the Renaissance, Advent—the weeks preceding the celebration of Christ’s birth at Christmas—was a time of wonder and reflection. Centuries-old carols tell this story, with some works presented here in their inherited form, others reimagined by skilled arrangers. This programme reaches across the ages: from the eternal beauty of the Tudor church right up to the twenty-first century, with each piece chosen to evoke a sense of mystery and joy.

Veni Emmanuel

Smith Square Hall

Taking in the nation’s favourite Christmas Carols, alongside depictions of John Masefield’s classic The Box of Delights, Hardy’s Under the Greenwood Tree, Chekhov’s At Christmas Time and the lesser-known masterpiece of Charles Dickens, Doctor Marigold.

A Christmas Odyssey

Milton Court Concert Hall

Citing Louis Armstrong as his biggest musical inspiration, Aaron Akugbo’s collaboration with the BBC Singers draws on his jazz inspirations, alongside works by the likes of Sir James MacMillan and Hildegard of Bingen.

BBC Singers and Aaron Akugbo

Following the success of the BBC Singers previous visit to the West End and Broadway, Owain Park conducts BBC Singers and BBC Concert Orchestra in more music from some of our best-loved musicals.

Songs from the Shows

This year the concert kicks off with a specially-commissioned Fanfare by Composer-in-Residence, Owain Park and Vaughan Williams’ beautiful ‘Fantasia on Christmas Carols’ with additional readings from the Christmas story. Audience carols including ‘Hark the Herald Angels Sing’ and choral classics such as Holst’s ‘On Christmas Day’, Rutter’s ‘What Sweeter Music’ as well as our arrangement of ‘O Holy Night’ also feature. The concert also includes the winning piece from this year’s LCS Carol Competition.

Christmas Fantasia

The ensemble’s recent album brings together a sequence of works, ancient and modern, to mark the feast of Epiphany.

EPSG:4326

The Gesualdo Six

Wigmore Hall

An intriguing programme from a leading Renaissance-specialist ensemble in which works by composers from an earlier period are matched with those of recent times and today, several of them specially commissioned to mirror their predecessors.

Renaissance Reflections

The Gesualdo Six present a selection of Motets and Chansons from the French Court focusing on European Queens: Anne of Brittany, Marguerite d’Austria, Anne Boleyn and Mary Tudor. Reflecting on these earthly regencies, devotional motets for the Queen of Heaven are interwoven with texts from the Song of Songs, appropriated to venerate the Blessed Virgin, alongside specially written chansons and motets commemorating key moments in the reign of Europe’s Queens.

Gesualdo Six - Queen of Hearts

St John’s Church, Waterloo

Join the BBC Singers as they celebrate their 100th birthday and look forward to the future with a host of star artists and special guests.

BBC Singers Centenary Concert

Barbican Centre

On 2 October 1924, the BBC Wireless Chorus gave their first performance.  Now known as the BBC Singers, the group has evolved over the past 100 years to become trailblazers in choral music from multiple genres and given numerous world premiere performances alongside collaborating with the finest orchestras, conductors and artists from around the world.  Alongside music associated with the group is repertoire from the lighter side of their work, and a special world premiere from their Composer in Association, Roderick Williams.

From the roots of choral singing to the flowering of a tradition. Embark on a captivating vocal journey with The Gesualdo Six as the singers curate a collection of exquisite vocal consort pieces. Experience lyrical Renaissance works celebrating nature and love by Byrd and Gibbons. Discover how contemporary composers breathe life into verses by Christina Rossetti and Kathleen Jamie. Immerse yourself in skilful re-imaginings of traditional British folk songs that beautifully tie the sequence together.

During the Renaissance musical composition flourished, but it was a time of great change, fuelled by religious division. This programme traces music written by some of the English Renaissance masters over a period of 200 years, encompassing florid medieval-sounding pieces by Pygott and Cornysh, intricately woven polyphonic works by Tallis and Byrd, and the beautiful simplicity of Mundy and Tomkins.

Conductor

Owain Park

Events

Upcoming events

Jul 13, 2026

The Gesualdo Six · Wigmore Hall

Sep 9, 2026

The Gesualdo Six · Wigmore Hall

Past events

Dec 17, 2025

Veni Emmanuel · Sinfonia Smith Square

Dec 11, 2025

A Christmas Odyssey · Barbican Centre

Future and recently performed repertoire

Singer in Vigilate by Byrd

Wigmore Hall

Singer in The Silver Swan by Gibbons

Wigmore Hall

Singer in If ye love me by Tallis

Wigmore Hall

Singer in Ave verum corpus by Byrd

Wigmore Hall

Singer in Hosanna to the Son of David by Weelkes

Wigmore Hall

Singer in Te lucis ante terminum by Tallis

Wigmore Hall

Singer in When David heard by Weelkes

Wigmore Hall

Singer in Petites voix by Poulenc

Wigmore Hall

Singer in This Sweet and Merry Month of May by Byrd

Wigmore Hall

Singer in Put out into the deep by Bednall

Wigmore Hall

Singer in The Wind's Warning by Willis

Wigmore Hall

Singer in The Wishing Tree by Talbot

Wigmore Hall

Singer in My bonny lies over the ocean by Semple

Wigmore Hall

Singer in Summer Shower by Holmes

Wigmore Hall

Singer in El Grillo by Prez

Wigmore Hall

Singer in When love speaks by Park

Wigmore Hall

Singer in Aspice Domine by Byrd

Wigmore Hall

Singer in Ave Maria Mater Dei by Cornysh

Wigmore Hall

Singer in Quemadmodum by Taverner

Wigmore Hall

Singer in Ave regina celorum by Frye

Wigmore Hall

Singer in Quid petis O fili by Pygott

Wigmore Hall

Singer in O Lord, in thy wrath rebuke me not by Gibbons

Wigmore Hall

Singer in A new commandment by Mundy

Wigmore Hall

Singer in How are the mighty fallen by Ramsey

Wigmore Hall

About

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