Patron: The Former HRH The Prince of Wales
Chorus Master: Gavin Carr
Accompanist: Timothy End
Arts Council England

Claire Barnett-Jones wins BBC Cardiff Singer of the World 2021 Audience Prize

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Mezzo-soprano Claire Barnett-Jones has won the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World 2021 Audience Prize at the Main Prize Final broadcast live on BBC4 on Saturday 19 June. She previously won Round 4. Claire is a member of the Philharmonia Chorus Professional Singer Scheme, and has appeared regularly in the Chorus since joining in 2011. She was the mezzo-soprano soloist in a performance of Handel's Messiah given by the Philharmonia Chorus in the Palau de la Música in Valencia in December 2015, when all soloists were drawn from the Chorus.

Claire joined Georgian mezzo-soprano Natalia Kutateladze, South Korean baritone Gihoon Kim, South African soprano Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha, and Austrian soprano Christina Ganch in the Main Prize final, which was broadcast live on Saturday 19 June on BBC4 at 19.30.

The whole of Round 4 and the Main Prize final can now be seen on the BBC iPlayer.

Philharmonia Chorus recording of Carmina Burana selected as the best by BBC Radio 3's Record Review

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On Saturday 12 June on BBC Radio 3's Record Review, Jeremy Summerly examined all the available recordings of Carl Orff's Carmina Burana, and selected the Chorus's 1979 EMI recording with Arleen Auger, John van Kesteren, Jonathan Summers and the Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Riccardo Muti as the best. The Chorus Master was Norbert Balatsch.

Alexandria Wreggelsworth at La Fenice

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Soprano Alexandria Wreggelsworth took part in a streamed performance of opera scenes live from the stage of La Fenice, Venice, at 18.00 on Wednesday 26 May. Alexandria is a member of the Philharmonia Chorus Student Scheme, and has taken part in many performances with the Chorus over the past five years.

Alexandria sang Mimi and Tatyana in scenes from La Bohème and Eugene Onegin respectively. The whole performance is available on You Tube.

Walton - Belshazzar's Feast
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra 75th Anniversary Concert

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The Philharmonia Chorus was very proud to take part in the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra's 75th Anniversary Concert on Tuesday 21 September at the Royal Albert Hall. The Chorus joined bass-baritone Sir Bryn Terfel in a performance of Walton's Belshazzar's Feast, which was conducted by the orchestra's Music Director, Vasily Petrenko. In the first half of the concert, Sheku Kanneh-Mason played Elgar's Cello Concerto. The concert was relayed live on BBC Radio 3.

The Philharmonia Chorus has enjoyed a long and close association with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, having taken part in over 40 performances with them over the last 20 years alone. Our first concert together was on 28 September 1971, in a performance of Mahler's Second Symphony conducted by Rudolf Kempe that marked the opening of their Silver Jubilee season, so this performance of Belshazzar's Feast marked our 50th anniversary of music making with this wonderful orchestra, almost to the day.

Mahler with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

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Under the current national circumstances, it is no surprise that the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra has announced that the planned performances of Mahler's Second and Third Symphonies with the Philharmonia Chorus at the Royal Albert Hall in March and April will not go ahead. We are delighted that the performances have been re-scheduled, and that the details will be announced shortly

Mahler's Second Symphony with Jakub Hrůša

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On Thursday 20 February the Philharmonia Chorus took part in a performance of Mahler's Second Symphony at the Royal Festival Hall, London. The Chorus joined soprano Camilla Tilling, mezzo-soprano Jennifer Johnston and the Philharmonia Orchestra with its Principal Guest conductor Jakub Hrůša.

The concert was recorded by BBC Radio 3, and was broadcast on Monday 9 March.