The Elizabethan Singers embodied the
whole atmosphere of English music in their
singing. GÖTEBORGS-POSTEN, SWEDEN
The Elizabethan Singers of London have established a fine reputation for their performances, which have included concerts in many of the historic churches and buildings within the City of London. They have also performed in the Queen Elizabeth Hall and Purcell Room on London's famous South Bank, and at various venues throughout the UK.
The group was founded in 1953, the year of the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II; they are one of the oldest established chamber choirs in the City of London, are based in the heart of the City and have rehearsed for many years in the shadow of a memorial sculpture to one of England's great Tudor composers, John Dowland (1563-1626).
The Elizabethan Singers capture the splendour and enhance the performances of early music by appearing in beautiful and colourful period costumes, often with lute, organ or harpsichord, recreating the dazzling atmosphere of their venue whether it be a castle or stately home. They have a national and international reputation, having appeared in many prestigious venues both in this country and abroad; including the Globe Theatre, London, Cathedrals in Sweden, Germany and the UK, and castles in Luxembourg.
Recently there has been an interregnum marking the farewell to Anthony Ratcliffe, MBE, of Bawdsey, Suffolk, who has been the Elizabethan Singers of London's Administrator for thirty years. This has resulted in the appointment of Susan Heath-Downey (choir director, organist, harpsichordist) as Musical Director. In February, the Elizabethan Singers performed a Valentine's Day Concert to high acclaim in the large Medieval church of St. Edmund's in Southwold, Suffolk.
These singers have a beautitul tone quality
the internal balance is beyond praise.
GRAMOPHONE
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Sample Programme |
Greensleeves : Anon |
Thomas Morley (1557-1603) : It was a lover and his lass |
John Dowland (1563-1626 ) : Wilt thou, unkind |
Interlude - Solos with Lute John Dowland : i. Awake sweet love ii. Come again |
John Farmer ( c.1565-1605) : Fair Phyllis I saw |
Readings - from The Sonnets by William Shakespeare (1564-1616) |
Interlude - Organ Solos from the Fitzwilliam Virginal Book by Dr John Bull (1563-1628) : i. Dr Bull's Juell ii. A Gigge iii. The Duchesse of Brunswick's Toye |
Peter Philipps (1564-1628) : O false deceit |
Thomas Weelkes (c.1575-1623) : Thule, the period of cosmography and The Andalusian merchant |
Thomas Weelkes (1575-1623) : What joy so true, what comfort |
Readings - from William Shakespeare : The Sonnets |
Thomas Tallis (c.1505-85) : O nata lux de lumine |
William Byrd (1543-1623) : Sing joyfully |
Interlude - Lute Solos |
John Wilbye (1574-1638) : Sweet honey sucking bee |
Thomas Vautor (c.1580-?) : Sweet Sulffolk Owl |
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Hear The Elizabethan Singers of London

Extract from Infant Holy (arr. Rubbra)
Real Audio
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