Performed by Baroque Chamber Chorus of Beijing

The Baroque Chamber Chorus of Beijing was founded in 1994, and today has grown to be a group of 32 voices. The choir performs a wide-ranging repertoire that encompasses both western and Chinese choral music. The choir has given first performances in the PRC of works by many celebrated western composers, including Handel, Haydn and Stravinsky. In addition to madrigals and masses, the choir’s repertoire also includes lighter Western music, such as arrangements of Cole Porter and Kurt Weill. The Baroque Chamber Chorus is one of the very few choirs in China that sings all of its repertoire in the original language.

The Baroque Chamber Chorus is unique in China its focus on, and pursuit of an authentic performance style for, early European repertoire. The group’s programs frequently feature English and Italian secular madrigals as well as a range of sacred music, and have included first PRC performances by a Chinese choir of motets by Palestrina. Since 1997, the choir’s work has attracted wide media attention, and the group has been featured in numerous television and radio programs that have been broadcast on Star TV, CCTV, Beijing TV, China Radio International and Beijing local radio.

The choir has become well-known throughout China for its pioneering work in introducing new European repertoire, and has been highly acclaimed by organizations such as the China Choral Association and composers including the late Li Huanzhi, former president of the China Musicians Association, for its efforts in this regard. As part of its long-term aim of helping to establish a truly Chinese choral style within the world tradition, the Baroque Chamber Chorus has also gained a reputation for its experiments in applying the European style of choral singing to Chinese choral music. This new approach has been supported and encouraged by many distinguished choral conductors including Wu Lingfen, who has described the choir’s work as “an important step in China’s reaching out to the world and finding a place within the choral tradition as an equal partner”.

The Baroque Chamber Chorus maintains international links by admitting both Chinese and non-Chinese members. The group is affiliated with the Chinese People’s Friendship Association.

Remarks: Tickets for Concert on Choral Works by Qu Xixian are available now!