The King’s Singers at National Cathedral

When:
December 22, 2018 @ 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
2018-12-22T19:30:00-05:00
2018-12-22T21:30:00-05:00
Where:
National Cathedral
3101 Wisconsin Ave
Washington, DC 20016
USA
Cost:
$25 - 95

The Grammy Award-winning all-male a cappella sextet The King’s Singers return to the National Cathedral this December for the final stop on their 2018 North American Christmas tour. The concert is Saturday, December 22 at 7:30pm. The program, GOLD Christmas, celebrates The King’s Singers 50thbirthday, with music that has defined the group’s first half century as well as new commissions from their three-disc anniversary album, GOLD. Of course, popular Christmas carols have a prominent place on the program, sung with The King’s Singers’ trademark purity of tone, blend, and British wit. In addition to being the final concert of The King’s Singers’ 50thanniversary season, this will also be the last concert for second countertenor Timothy Wayne-Wright and second baritone Christopher Gabbitas, both departing after many seasons with the group.

Tickets to The King’s Singers GOLD Christmas at Washington National Cathedral (3101 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington DC 20016) are $25-$95, with $15 tickets available for students, and can be purchased at cathedral.org or by calling 202-537-6200.

Full program information:

The King’s Singers GOLD Christmas

WHAT CHEER John David arr. Peter Knight (adapted Philip Lawson Born on a new day
ANCIENT ORIGINS Trad. arr. Philip Lawson
Trad. arr. Brian Kay
Veni, veni Emmanuel
Gaudete
A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE Adrian Willaert Ave virgo sposa Dei – Inviolata est
CAROLS FROM KING’S Bob Chilcott
Mykola Leontovych arr. Keith Roberts
The Shepherd’s Carol
Carol of the bells
A STAR IS BORN Toby Hession Master of Music*
CHRISTMAS FOR A CENTURY Arvo Pärt
Peter Warlock
John Rutter
Bogoróditse Djévo
Bethlehem Down
There is a flower
JOY TO THE WHOLE WORLD Bob Chilcott We are*
Intermission    
THE CHRISTMAS STOCKING A celebration of ancient and modern Christmas music from across The King’s Singers repertoire

* = New anniversary commission

About The King’s Singers

Patrick Dunachie Countertenor
Timothy Wayne-Wright Countertenor
Julian Gregory Tenor
Christopher Bruerton Baritone
Christopher Gabbitas Baritone
Jonathan Howard Bass

The King’s Singers were established in May 1968, formed by six recently-graduated choral scholars from King’s College, Cambridge. Their vocal line-up was (by chance) two countertenors, a tenor, two baritones and a bass, and the group has never wavered from this formation since.

What really distinguished the group in its early years was its musical diversity. The King’s Singers were a weekly fixture on prime-time television, celebrating popular music never usually touched by choral ensembles, and their unique British charm, combined with their musical craft, captured audiences’ hearts the world over. The group has consistently been welcomed on the world’s great stages throughout its history – from London’s Royal Albert Hall to the Opera House in Sydney or New York’s Carnegie Hall – as well as being ambassadors for musical excellence across the globe. Two Grammy® Awards, an Emmy® Award, and a place in Gramophone magazine’s inaugural Hall of Fame sit among the numerous accolades bestowed upon the group.

This love of diversity has always fuelled The King’s Singers’ commitment to creating new music. A panoply of commissioned works by many of the greatest composers of our times – including Luciano Berio, György Ligeti, Nico Muhly, John Rutter, Toru Takemitsu, Sir John Tavener and Eric Whitacre – sits alongside countless bespoke arrangements in the group’s extensive repertoire.

The world may have changed a lot in the fifty years since the original King’s Singers came together, but today’s group is still charged by the same lifeblood – one that wants to radiate the joy singing brings every day, and that wants to give life to audiences with their virtuosity and vision for an exciting musical future.

Share