'My true love said...' - Shakespeare in Song

William Shakespeare himself is thought to have worshipped at St Giles Cripplegate, and his First Folio was printed - 300 years ago - a stone's throw away at 'Jaggers' (the site now under Barbican Tower). Two centuries later, the church saw the baptism of one William Ward. In life a successful merchant, he enabled by a generous legacy the foundation and maintenance of a high school for girls: City of London School for Girls, founded 14th June 1894. This concert marks the schools 130th birthday with a performance of Shakespeare settings by contemporary British composers including the school's own Music Scholar and Director of Music.  

City of London Schools' Camerata is a mixed voice chamber choir composed of twenty young singers. They are all schooled at City of London School and City of London Schools for Girls, in the heart of the City of London, nestled between the remains of Roman walls and the skyscrapers of the financial district, in the shadow of the Barbican towers and the dome of St Paul's Cathedral. The two schools have strong links with various institutional partners including the Guildhall School of Music & Drama and many pursue musical studies outside of school at junior departments of the Guildhall or Royal College of Music; several pupils have also been choristers at HM CHapel Royal St James's Palace, Temple Church or Southwark Cathedral. Pupils in this choir are also members of London Youth Choirs and the Rodolfus Choir.

QUESNEL This Love  

QUESNEL Full Fathom Five 

TODD It was a lover and his lass 

TODD I sing because... 

RUTTER When daisies pied (from Birthday Madrigals)

CHYDENIUS Fear no more the heat o' th'sun 

MCDOWALL Sigh no more ladies

CHENAF Come away death

City of London Schools' Camerata

Richard Quesnel, conductor