The Renaissance Singers is a specialist chamber choir that has brought the best in Renaissance vocal music to audiences in Britain for over 80 years.
Founded in London in 1944, the choir was a pioneer in the 20th century early music revival. Under its current Musical Director David Allinson, the choir maintains a busy schedule of performances, workshops and recordings.
Performing Renaissance music that others do not, and aiming to engage wider audiences, the choir strives for the highest musical standards in all it does. Its programmes offer unique paths of discovery for singers and audiences alike.
“Not only was the performance outstanding, but the choice of music, much of it being heard for the first time in the UK, was a brilliant choice by their inspirational musical director and conductor David Allinson… they are currently at the top of their game, with excellent and well-drilled singers.”
Andrew Benson-Wilson
C O N C E R T
A Flemish Christmas
Sacred song in midwinter
Saturday 14 December 2024, 7.30p
St Mary’s, Bourne Street
30 Bourne Street, Belgravia
London SW1W 8JJ
A Flemish Christmas
Conducted by David Allinson
Some of the greatest musicians in Europe worked in the gothic cathedrals of the Low Countries during the late 15th century, weaving celestial counterpoint.
This programme of Advent and Christmas pieces bursts with seasonal anticipation, wonder and joy. We’ll sing works by Jacob Obrecht, Johannes Ockeghem, Johannes Regis and others, including Obrecht’s Salve Regina.
Between rehearsals for the Christmas concert one of our singers, Barbara, told us what it's like to sing the soaring soprano lines we love.
O U R C O N C E R T S I N 2 0 2 4 - 2 0 2 5
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram or X, or join our mailing list for more information about our upcoming events.
Saturday 15 February 2025
Palestrina, Prince of Music
Conducted by David Allinson
Working in Rome, the Catholic Church’s centre of power, Palestrina’s sacred music encapsulates the new artistic confidence of the so-called Counter-Reformation. We celebrate perhaps the most famous and influential composer of Renaissance polyphony with works including his Stabat Mater a8 in a programme which moves from the majestic to the intimate.
Saturday 5 April 2025
Penitence and redemption
Conducted by Sally Dunkley
Distinguished singer, scholar and editor Sally Dunkley (The Sixteen, The Tallis Scholars, The Gabrieli Consort) is our guest conductor in a programme for Easter that explores contrasting settings of the Book of Lamentations and music by Jean l'Héritier, pupil of Josquin des Prez.
Saturday 28 June 2025
A Spanish Requiem
Conducted by David Allinson
The music of Sebastián de Vivanco has for too long been overshadowed by that of his contemporary, Victoria. Superbly crafted, and often a little more adventurous, the quality of his works is at last being recognised. We sing a new edition of his Mass for the Dead. Elegant, luminous and fluid, this work is little-known and deserves its place alongside other Iberian polyphonic Requiems. Our programme also includes penitential motets by Vivanco and his Iberian contemporaries.
J O I N U S
We are currently recruiting for all voice parts.
If you're an excellent sight-reader and are confident singing in smaller groups, unaccompanied, we'd love you to hear from you.
J O I N O U R M A I L I N G L I S T
Click the button below and sign up if you would like to receive emails from the Renaissance Singers about our forthcoming events, offers and activities.