Alexander Chance

Countertenor Alexander Chance has been appearing on recordings since his days with the New College Choir, Oxford. He has performed both traditional Baroque countertenor repertory and contemporary music. Chance was born in London in 1992. His father is countertenor Michael Chance. His first instrument was the recorder, which he took up at age seven. Chance's singing career began when he served as a treble in the Eton Chapel Choir under director Ralph Allwood. After his voice changed, he stayed on with the choir for three more years as a countertenor. Chance attended New College, Oxford, as a choral scholar (a student who receives scholarship support in return for singing in university services). He studied Classics but deepened his knowledge of singing under choir directors Edward Higginbottom and Robert Quinney. Chance graduated in 2015, and that year, he began his professional career, joining his father in a recital at the Stour Festival. In 2016, he made his recording debut with the New College Choir as a countertenor soloist. Since then, Chance has made appearances with major historical instrument groups and vocal ensembles. He toured Europe with Vox Luminis in a program of music by Purcell, and he appeared at London's Wigmore Hall with Arcangelo and director Jonathan Cohen. Chance has performed lute songs in various European countries, including at Musikfest Bremen with Toby Carr. He has also performed works by contemporary composers, including Arvo Pärt at the Nargenfestival in Tallinn, Estonia, and songs by Giacinto Scelsi with the Tallis Scholars and director Peter Phillips. Carr has appeared on several more ensemble recordings, including a 2021 performance of Bach's St. John Passion, BWV 245, with the English Baroque Soloists and Monteverdi Choir under director John Eliot Gardiner. In 2023, Chance made his solo debut with Carr on the Linn label, releasing the lute song album Drop Not, Mine Eyes.
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