Chapel Choir of the Royal Hospital Chelsea
Dating back to 1692, the Chapel Choir of the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, is among England's most highly regarded small choirs. The group has recently begun a recording program on the Albion and Somm labels.
The Royal Hospital, Chelsea, in London, was founded in 1682 by King Charles II. Among its earliest buildings was the Wren Chapel, designed by architect Christopher Wren and consecrated in 1691. The following year, the Hospital was designated a retirement home for English army members from the area, known as Chelsea Pensioners or In-Pensioners. The Hospital continues to fulfill this function today. In 1693, Peter Dumas was named Organist, a position that also involved directing the choir. Remarkably, there have been only 15 Chapel Choir Organists since that time, with several of them holding the position for 40 years or close to it. The famed musicologist Charles Burney served as Organist from 1783 until 1814. Between 1817 and 1974, all of the Organists were women. Ian Curror was named to the position in 1974; he remained in place until he was succeeded by William Vann in 2012, and Vann continued as Organist into the early 2020s.
The choir consists of 12 adult, mixed-gender singers: five sopranos, two altos, two tenors, and three basses. They are selected through a rigorous audition process that tests not only general musicianship and flexibility of vocal tone but also friendliness and a capacity for cooperation. The Chapel Choir sings at the Hospital's Sunday morning Matins services and also gives regular concerts at the Hospital; these are often sold out. The group maintains a large repertory stretching from the Renaissance to the 20th century. The group undertakes working vacations during the summer, appearing at cathedrals around Britain, and it has been heard on the BBC programs Songs of Praise and Choral Evensong. The choir has collaborated with leading early music groups, including The English Concert, The Tallis Scholars, and the Monteverdi Choir, and its membership overlaps with those of The Sixteen and the BBC Singers. The group's recording catalog is sparse considering the high regard in which it is held, but under Vann, it has begun to record on the Somm and Albion labels; on the latter, it released Ralph Vaughan Williams: An Oxford Christmas in 2021.
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Discography
17 album(s) • Sorted by Bestseller
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Vaughan Williams: An Oxford Christmas
Chapel Choir of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, William Vann, Joshua Ryan
Choral Music (Choirs) - Released by Albion on 22 Oct 2021
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
A Vaughan Williams Christmas
Chapel Choir of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, William Vann, Hugh Rowlands
Choral Music (Choirs) - Released by Albion on 12 Oct 2018
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
I Vow to Thee, My Country
Chapel Choir of the Royal Hospital Chelsea
Choral Music (Choirs) - Released by SOMM Recordings on 18 Nov 2022
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Carols from Chelsea
Classical - Released by SOMM Recordings on 18 Nov 2016
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
The Reeds by Severn Side
Chapel Choir of the Royal Hospital Chelsea
Classical - Released by SOMM Recordings on 15 Apr 2022
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
In Remembrance
Chapel Choir of the Royal Hospital Chelsea
Choral Music (Choirs) - Released by SOMM Recordings on 28 Sep 2018
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Vaughan Williams: Earth's Wide Bounds
Chapel Choir of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, William Vann, Joshua Ryan
Choral Music (Choirs) - Released by Albion on 4 Mar 2022
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Snow in the Street
Ralph Vaughan Williams, Chapel Choir of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, William Vann
Christmas Music - Released by Albion on 12 Oct 2018
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Sussex Carol (second tune)
Ralph Vaughan Williams, Chapel Choir of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, William Vann, Joshua Ryan
Christmas Music - Released by Albion on 22 Oct 2021
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Wither's Rocking Hymn
Chapel Choir of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, William Vann, Hugh Rowlands
Christmas Music - Released by Albion on 12 Oct 2018
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Coverdale's Carol
Ralph Vaughan Williams, Chapel Choir of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, William Vann
Christmas Music - Released by Albion Records on 22 Oct 2021
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
The Salutation Carol
Ralph Vaughan Williams, Chapel Choir of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, William Vann
Christmas Music - Released by Albion on 22 Oct 2021
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
The Golden Carol
Chapel Choir of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, William Vann, Thomas Stoddart, Hugh Rowlands
Christmas Music - Released by Albion on 12 Oct 2018
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Blake's Cradle Song
Ralph Vaughan Williams, William Vann, Chapel Choir of the Royal Hospital Chelsea
Christmas Music - Released by Albion on 12 Oct 2018
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Psalm of Sion
Ralph Vaughan Williams, Chapel Choir of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, William Vann
Christmas Music - Released by Albion on 22 Oct 2021
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Earth & Sky: Vaughan Williams Choral Premières
Chapel Choir of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, William Vann
Choral Music (Choirs) - Released by Albion on 14 Sep 2018
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Quem Pastores
Ralph Vaughan Williams, Chapel Choir of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, William Anderson
Christmas Music - Released by Albion on 22 Oct 2021
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo