The Bristol Chamber Choir traces its history back to 1837 when the Bristol Madrigal Society was founded to "promote madrigal singing in the city", and the first singing meeting was held on 1 March 1837 at the Montague Inn, Kingsdown (destroyed in World War II). Except for the years of World War II, the Society has rehearsed and given concerts ever since. Apart from the longest-running music festival choirs, Bristol Madrigal Society is therefore the oldest British musical society to have performed regularly in public.
Both Robert Pearsall and EH Fellowes had strong links with the Society, and its original repertoire consisted of 16th century English and Italian madrigals and sacred works including, in 1839, Lotti's ten-part Crucifixus, sung to English words. Works were also composed specifically for the society. This has now broadened to encompass an extensive repertoire from late medieval to modern times, together with works commissioned from several local composers, including Raymond Warren, our president. In 1988 the Society renamed its choir Bristol Chamber Choir to reflect these changes.
As well as singing an average of four public concerts each season, they hold exchanges with other choirs, have undertaken foreign tours, and organise choral workshops and social events for their members. The founding tradition of madrigal singing is maintained in at least one of their concerts each year.
Bach’s ‘Jesu Meine Freude’ will be followed by a mix of madrigals and part songs in lighter mood.