| Biography | The BBC Singers are the professional chamber choir of the BBC. As one of six BBC Performing Groups, the 24-voiced choir has been in existence for more than 80 years. The BBC Singers have commissioned and premiered works by the leading composers of the past century, including Benjamin Britten, Sir Michael Tippett, Judith Weir and Sir John Tavener. They regularly perform alongside leading international orchestras and conductors, and make invitational appearances at national events such as the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales in Westminster Abbey.
A BBC choir was formed in 1924 for a performance of Felix Mendelssohns Elijah, under the name of the Wireless Chorus. From this group emerged a professional consort, the Wireless Singers. This chamber-sized group would later become the BBC Singers in their current form. Guest conductors during these early years included Sir Edward Elgar, Igor Stravinsky, Arnold Schoenberg and a young Sir John Barbirolli. |