Reviews: Sydney Chamber Choir's 'A Royal Affair'

Classikon

Sydney Chamber Choir provides food for thought on a wintery night

Lliane Clarke | 5 June 2019

Just before the long weekend that celebrates Queen Elizabeth II’s birthday, Sydney Chamber Choir put its Kings and Queens in a row with a concert exploring composers with the Royal seal of approval. On a dark and wintry Sydney night, we were as if transported to a substitute London’s Westminster Abbey with ‘A Royal Affair’ at Sydney University Great Hall. The choir performed music by two Masters of the Queen’s Music Australian Malcolm Williamson AO CBE (not to be confused with film composer John Williamson) and Judith Weir CBE and the choral great George Frideric Handel.

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Sounds Like Sydney

Concert Review: A Royal Affair/Sydney Chamber Choir/The Muffat Collective

Shamistha de Soysa | 4 June 2019

It was a splendid liaison between music and history when the Sydney Chamber Choir presented A Royal Affair, conducted by newly appointed Music Director, Sam Allchurch. If not for royal patronage, Europe’s rich repository of music would be a fraction of its size. This concert focussed music written for the English court, at two contrasting points in music’s timeline.

Featured in the first half of the programme was an a capella selection of music written by two recent Masters of the Queen’s Music: the present incumbent, British born Judith Weir (b 1954), appointed in 2014 and her predecessor, Sydney born Malcom Williamson (1931 – 2003) who held the post from 1975-2003.

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Sydney Arts Guide

Sydney Chamber Choir @ The Great Hall Sydney University

Ben Apfelbaum | 3 June 2019

I have just seen the most delightful concert,  THE ROYAL AFFAIR featuring the Sydney Chamber Choir, June 1st in the Great Hall Sydney University.

ROYAL AFFAIR was a most apposite title since this concert featured works by two Masters of the Queen’s/King’s music. The first was Australian, Malcolm Williamson(1931-2003) the only non Briton to fulfil this role from 1975 until his death. The second, the current Master of the Queen’s music, was Judith Weir. As well, the concert featured music by that most royal of royal composers, Handel.

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Remembering Martin Wesley-Smith (1945 - 2019)

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Sydney Chamber Choir's Music Director Sam Allchurch reflects on creating A Royal Affair