Stile Antico and the Rodolfus Choir collaborate in a concert of choral works by the great English composer William Byrd, 400 years after his death. The concert is the culmination of a weekend of workshops given by members of Stile Antico to the young singers of the Rodolfus Choir, in celebration of the considerable and varied talent of one of Britain's best loved composers.
The concert will feature music sung by the combined forces of the two choirs, conducted by William Dawes, a Stile Antico member, as well as smaller scale offerings sung one to a part by members of Stile Antico or in small groups taken from the Rodolfus Choir. Movements from Byrd's Great Service and his Mass for 4 Voices will be performed, as well as psalm settings such as Laudibus in Sanctis and other sacred works along with lighter-hearted madrigals.
The Rodolfus Choir is a leading UK youth choir for young people aged 16-23, the aim of which is to offer professional, high-quality choral singing opportunities and to share wonderful choral repertoire with diverse audiences across the UK and beyond.
Stile Antico is firmly established as one of the world's most accomplished and innovative vocal ensembles, performing Renaissance repertoire to critical acclaim all over the world, with many award-winning recordings to their name. Their most recent recording, released in January 2023 to mark the 400th anniversary of the death of William Byrd, has received 5-star reviews from BBC Music Magazine among others. Alongside its concert and recording work, Stile Antico is passionate about sharing its repertoire and working style with the widest possible audience, and its masterclasses and workshops are much in demand. The support of the charitable Stile Antico Foundation has enabled the group to expand its work with amateur singers, in schools, to lead Youth Consort courses for students, and to offer bursaries to talented young professional singers and ensembles.