The online premiere screening of the ground-breaking collaborative concert.

This performance involves hundreds of musicians worldwide, including, Sir Mark Elder, conductor; Roderick Williams – baritone – as Zarathustra; Gemma Summerfield – soprano; Claudia Huckle – contralto; Bror Magnus Tødenes – tenor; Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra; Bergen Philharmonic Choir under Håkon Matti Skrede; Choir of the Earth under Ben England;
Edvard Grieg Kor; and the Collegium Musicums Choir.

Choir of the Earth is one of the world’s largest digital choirs, with around 600 active Members from all corners of the globe. What began as a pandemic activity has flourished into an artform in its own right, with Choir of the Earth making a name for itself on the world music stage. Far from a novelty act, the Choir values quality highly, and even came second in the Britain’s Top Choirs™ competition earlier this year, placing above some of the best amateur choirs in the UK.

This unique ‘hybrid’ concert with the Bergen Philharmonic is just one example of the kind of experiences the Choir offers, with opportunities to collaborate with world-class musicians and sing works a traditional choir would struggle to perform.

The world premiere was screened at the British Film Institute’s headquarters in Southbank, London on Friday 20 October 2023. The concert was preceded by a short introduction from Choir of the Earth’s Founder Mark Strachan and Musical Director Ben England, who also held a Q&A after the screening. These were filmed and have been included in this online premiere.

Choir of the Earth and our colleagues in Bergen hope you will join us to celebrate this remarkable achievement, as we demonstrate the bright future of digital singing – where performances can be created and enhanced by artists collaborating across distance, medium and even time.

Choir of the Earth would like to thank The Delius Trust for its assistance in this project.