Virtuoso & Belcanto

Founded in 1988 by conductor Harold Rosenbaum, The New York Virtuoso Singers (NYVS) is a leading proponent of contemporary choral music in the United States. Initially an offshoot of a chorus-in-residence for the Brooklyn Philharmonic, NYVS has evolved into a prominent 16-member professional ensemble, sometimes expanded to 24 or more, dedicated to performing and commissioning works by American composers. The group has premiered over 550 compositions and commissioned more than 100 pieces from notable composers such as John Corigliano, Jennifer Higdon, and David Lang. NYVS has been featured at prestigious venues like Tanglewood Music Center, Juilliard School, and Aspen Music Festival, and has collaborated with renowned orchestras and ensembles. The choir has received multiple ASCAP-Chorus America Awards for its innovative programming and appears on over 47 commercial CDs. Notably, their performance of Andrew Imbrie's Requiem earned a Grammy nomination in 2000. NYVS continues to champion contemporary music, maintaining a significant presence in the choral music landscape.