Resurgam

The 12-member chamber choir Resurgam is among Ireland's most prominent vocal ensembles and is one of the country's few professional choirs. The group's repertory focuses on 17th century works but extends into many other areas, including Orthodox church music and contemporary work. Resurgam was founded in 2003 by Mark Duley, who remained its director as of the mid-2020s. The choir has 12 members, all of whom are also active as professional singers in other concert situations. According to the group's materials, Resurgam is "committed to bringing fine choral music to the west of Ireland, and especially to places where hitherto there have been few, if any performances by professional choral ensembles." It often partners in performance with local groups. Focusing on 16th and 17th century composers such as Claudio Monteverdi and the English composers of the Tudor period, the group offers performances with close attention to text and emotional content. Resurgam's repertory is varied, including such works as Rachmaninov's All-Night Vigil and Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, and the choir gave the first complete Irish performance of Alfred Schnittke's Concerto for Choir. The group made its recording debut in 2008, appearing on the Ricercar label on the album Alexandre Guilmant: Septième Sonate by organist Joris Verdin. Resurgam has performed around Britain and has made multiple appearances in continental Europe, including a noted performance at the Bach Festival in Lausanne, France. At home in Ireland, the choir has appeared at most of the country's major festival events, including the Galway International Arts Festival, the Kilkenny Arts Festival, and the Cork International Choral Festival. In addition to Duley, Resurgam has worked with such prominent early music choral conductors as Monica Huggett, Christophe Rousset, and John Butt. Resurgam offers thematic programs; those for 2024 included "Tudor Connections" and "Edges of Empires," performed at St. Canice's Cathedral in Kilkenny and St. Nicholas' Cathedral Church in Galway. It made its recording debut as a primary artist in 2024, releasing the album Thomas Weelkes: Gentleman Extraordinary on the Resonus Classics label; on that album, the group was teamed with the English Cornett and Sackbut Ensemble.
© James Manheim /TiVo