The King’s Singers perform their breathtaking "Pater Noster" program in Irvine, CA

Ideally suited to their musical roots, The King’s Singers’ program, Pater Noster, is a remarkable tribute to one of the most important texts in the Christian liturgy, the Lord’s Prayer. From Schütz to Stravinsky, Byrd to Bernstein, The King’s Singers perform music that ranges over centuries in order to explore this spiritually charged text at Irvine Barclay Theatre in Irvine, CA on Friday, November 6 at 8pm. Ticket prices range from $38-$100; visit thebarclay.org to purchase or call 949-854-4646 for the box office.

The program, though not chronological, begins and ends with one of the most ancient iterations of the Lord’s Prayer in music: plainchant. The following selections include musical settings of Pater Noster alongside other works that complement the meaning of each line of the prayer. From Gregorian chant to Renaissance polyphony to 20^th-century interpretations by Stravinsky and Bernstein, this program aims to shed rich interpretative light on the poetic and devotional aspects of the Lord’s Prayer. Other composers on this atmospheric program include Orlando Lassus, Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, John Tavener, and former King’s Singer Bob Chilcott.

After intermission, The King’s Singers present a less solemn but equally dazzling selection of some of their favorite songs in close harmony, which are sure to become audience favorites as well. This dynamic program is a perfect representation of The King’s Singers “pinpoint precision, total rapport, crisp diction, faultless tuning and seemingly effortless ability to switch between different stylistic requirements.” (The Times, London)

About The King’s Singers

David Hurley CountertenorTimothy Wayne-Wright Countertenor Julian Gregory TenorChristopher Bruerton Baritone Christopher Gabbitas BaritoneJonathan Howard Bass

Acclaimed worldwide for their virtuosity, life-affirming energy and charm, The King’s Singers are in global demand. Their work, synonymous with the very best in vocal ensemble performance, appeals to a vast international audience. Performing to hundreds of thousands of people each season, the group tours regularly to Europe, North and South America, Asia and Australia. Instantly recognisable for their immaculate intonation, vocal blend, diction and incisive timing, The King’s Singers are consummate entertainers.

The group’s repertoire has evolved to become one of the most diverse and compelling imaginable. The King’s Singers have commissioned over 200 works, including landmark pieces from leading contemporary composers including Luciano Berio, György Ligeti, Sir James MacMillan, Krzysztof Penderecki, Toru Takemitsu, Sir John Tavener, Gabriela Lena Frank and Eric Whitacre. They have also commissioned arrangements of everything from jazz standards to pop chart hits, explored medieval motets and Renaissance madrigals, and encouraged young composers to write new scores.

In addition to performing to capacity audiences and creating highly regarded and much-loved recordings, The King’s Singers share their artistry through numerous workshops and masterclasses around the world. The group hosts a biennial residential Summer School at Royal Holloway (part of the University of London) where they are also Ensemble in Residence. Among the work supported by The King’s Singers Foundation, A Carol for Christmas is a composition competition that seeks to encourage young and up-coming composers, giving the winners the chance for their piece to be performed in King’s College Chapel (Cambridge, UK).

Double Grammy® award-winning artists, the group was honored in 2009 for their Signum Classics release, Simple Gifts, and again in 2012 for their contribution to Eric Whitacre’s Light and Gold album on Universal/Decca. Recently voted into the Gramophone Hall of Fame, rave reviews and repeated sell-out concerts confirm that The King’s Singers remain one of the world’s finest vocal ensembles.

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