Classical review: Yorkshire Bach Choir

Not counting York University’s many and varied choral groups, the city has such a wealth of singers that offers five major ensembles ranging from the chamber group, the Ebor Singers, to the large-scale York Music Society.

Standing somewhere between is the Yorkshire Bach Choir who open their season at St Michael Le Belfrey with sacred music that flourished throughout Europe during the Renaissance period, England’s contribution coming with the Mass for Five Voices from the religious ambivalent, William Byrd (October 29).

Moving to music of the Bach family for a Christmas celebration (December 10), they make a brief excursion into the 20th century with music by Durufle, Kodaly and Walton (May 13), before returning to the sanctuary of the sixteenth century with Monteverdi and Carissimi (June 17).

The Chapter House Choir, based at the Minster, have invited the world famous King’s Singers to join them in an evening of vocal fireworks on Bonfire Night, their five- concert season ending with His Majesty’s Sagbutts and Cornetts in Monteverdi’s Vespro della Beata Virgine (June 3).

With eight critically acclaimed CDs to give them an international presence, the Ebor Singers are staging a performance of Marc-Antoine Charpentier’s opera Les arts florissants at the National Centre for Early Music, performed on the same date as its first performance (November 26).

Tickets for Yorkshire Bach Choir and Ebor Singers from 01904 658338; York Musical Society and Chapter House Choir from 01904 623568.