What Kind of Things Do The King's Singers Sing? Find Out May 11
Renowned British a cappella group The King's Singers will be giving a concert in the 'Jing on May 11 at the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA).
Officially formed in 1968 by six choral scholars who had recently graduated from King's College, the Grammy Award-winning vocal group has represented the best in a cappella singing for 57 years. The group is known for their technical abilities, stellar musicianship, singular style, wide-ranging repertoire, and enthusiasm for exploring new possibilities for music-making. While membership has changed over the years, the group is always composed of two countertenors, one tenor, two baritones, and one bass. The current lineup consists of countertenor Patrick Dunachie, countertenor Edward Button, tenor Julian Gregory, baritone Christopher Bruerton, baritone Nick Ashby, and bass Piers Connor Kennedy.
Their concert in Beijing, part of their "Close Harmony" tour, will feature selections from their 2024 album Close Harmony as well as other songs.
Close Harmony – Concert Program:
- “What Kind of Things Do The King’s Singers Sing?” – Ron Goodwin (arr. Jeremy Jackman)
Getting Going (1968-72)
- “Blow Away the Morning Dew” – Traditional (arr. Gordon Langford)
- Traditional: “The Oak and the Ash” – Traditional (arr. Gordon Langford)
- “El manisero” (“The Peanut Vendor”) – Marion Sunshine, Moisés Simons; English lyrics by L. Wolfe Gilbert (arr. Gordon Langford)
Going Pro (1972-83)
- “I’m a Train” – Albert Hammond, Mike Hazlewood (arr. Peter Knight)
- “Slow Train” – Donald Swann, Michael Flanders (arr. Gordon Langford)
- “Overture to The Barber of Seville” – Gioachino Rossini (arr. Daryl Runswick)
Into America (1983-1990)
- “And So It Goes” – Billy Joel (arr. Bob Chilcott)
- “Honey Pie” – Lennon-McCartney (arr. Paul Hart)
- “Texas Girl at the Funeral of Her Father” – Randy Newman (arr. Bob Chilcott)
Something Different (1990-2000)
- “Oh, I Can’t Sit Down” – George Gershwin (arr. Bob Chilcott)
- “Kokomo” – The Beach Boys (arr. Bob Chilcott)
- “她来听我的演唱会” (“She Came to My Concert”) – Huang Mingzhou, Liang Wenfu (arr. Patrick Dunachie)
“The Ender”
- “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da” – Lennon-McCartney (arr. Daryl Runswick)
– Intermission –
A New Day (2000-2018)
- “You Are the New Day” – John David (arr. Peter Knight)
- “I’ve Got the World on a String” – Harold Arlen, Ted Koehler (arr. Alexander L’Estrange)
- “We Are” – Bob Chilcott
The Show Goes On (2019-)
- “月亮代表我的心” (“The Moon Represents My Heart”) – Tang Ni, Sun Yi (arr. Philip Lawson)
- “Cielito Lindo” – Mexican Traditional (arr. Jorge Cózatl)
- “Ocean Eyes” – Finneas O'Connell (arr. The King’s Singers)
- “When She Loved Me” – Randy Newman (arr. Philip Lawson)
- “The Bare Necessities” – Terry Gilkyson (arr. Jamey Ray)
What: Close Harmony – The King's Singers at the National Centre for the Performing Arts
When: May 11, 7.30pm
Where: NCPA Concert Hall
Price: RMB 180-680
Performance program, time, or other details may be subject to change. More information about the performance can be found online on the NCPA website or through various event mini-programs.
NOTE: Foreign passport holders may be unable to purchase tickets for these performances through most mini programs or ticketing apps like Damai or Alipay. We recommend you purchase tickets through the NCPA Smart Butler 国家大剧院智慧管家 mini program. Search for 国王歌手合唱团 and follow the directions from there. You can also purchase tickets online at www.chncpa.org or contact the NCPA box office via telephone at 010 6655 0000 or in person.
National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) 国家大剧院
North Gate of NCPA (Box Office)
2 Chang'an Xidajie, Xicheng District
西城区西长安街2号
NCPA Box Office Hours
9.30am-7.30pm on performance day
9.30am-6pm for days without performances
NCPA Phone Booking Hours
9.30am-6pm (Mon-Fri)
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Images: courtesy of the venue
