VOCES8 Scholars Ensemble and Wishful Singing sing Gregorian Treasures in London

Gregorian chant
The program is a journey through the rich history of Gregorian chant, featuring both well-known classics and forgotten masterpieces, performed according to original medieval manuscripts. In addition, Wishful Singing and the VOCES8 Scholars Ensemble will perform contemporary compositions inspired by the Gregorian heritage, including works such as Ubi Caritas by Maurice Duruflé and Ave Generosa by Ola Gjeilo. Highlights of the program include Viderunt omnes by the 12th-century composer Perotinus and Dum transisset Sabbatum by John Taverner, where polyphonic singing and Gregorian psalmody come together.

The unique interplay between the clear voices of Wishful Singing and the deep tones of the VOCES8 Scholars Ensemble promises a mystical experience for music enthusiasts.

Wishful Singing is a leading all-female vocal ensemble from the Netherlands, with a strong reputation for performing a broad repertoire ranging from early music, folk, close harmony, and contemporary music. The ensemble regularly performs at Dutch concert halls like the Royal Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, but they’ve also performed in Japan, the United States and many European countries. The group, consisting of five female vocalists, has generated a new buzz around Gregorian chant in the Netherlands. Since 2016, Wishful Singing’s performances of Gregorian repertoire have attracted over 15,000 attendees, while their online courses engaged more than 6,500 participants.

“The five singers of Wishful Singing sing so beautifully that heaven and earth seem to exchange places” – Stijn Fens, Trouw

The VOCES8 Scholars Ensemble programme is an initiative established by the ensemble VOCES8 in 2015. It serves as a training opportunity for talented young singers in the UK and the US who have a specific interest in choral and small ensemble singing. The aim of the Scholars Programme is to develop versatile, accomplished young artists, equipped with the skills they need to succeed at the beginning of their professional careers.