About ALAMIRE

One of the leading vocal consorts in the UK, Alamire has an enviable line-up of some of the finest consort singers under the charismatic directorship of David Skinner. Inspired by the great choral works of the medieval and early modern periods, the ensemble expands or contracts according to its chosen repertoire and often combines with instrumentalists, creating colourful programmes to illustrate musical or historical themes. Recent collaborations with Andrew Lawrence-King (Peñalosa, Siglos De Oro festival, Madrid 2010; Henryʼs Music CD and 500th anniversary celebrations 2009) and QuintEssential Sackbut & Cornett Ensemble (Henryʼs Music) have been extremely well received.

David Skinner and Alamire record exclusively for Obsidian Records, for whom they have won a number of awards. In March 2010 they received critical acclaim (Gramophone Record of the Month) for their ground-breaking CD of the complete motets of the Cantiones Sacrae (1575) of Thomas Tallis and William Byrd. This is the first in the exciting project entitled Library of English Church Music - a series of 30 recordings which will explore the highlights of the repertoire.

Alamire presents concerts regularly in the UK, USA, and Europe and have enjoyed varied and highly acclaimed projects including soundtracks for TV and film, sound installations for art galleries, festival appearances and radio broadcasts. Throughout 2009 Alamire toured with a fascinating programme exploring the choral and song repertoire of the Tudor court to mark the 500th anniversary of the coronation of Englandʼs most colourful monarch & was featured on a British Library CD recording to accompany their special exhibition & publication ʻHenry VIII Man & Monarchʼ.

Alamire takes its name from the solemnization symbols found in the 'hand' of Guido d'Arezzo, an 11th-century teacher and theorist; the term was also used as a pseudonym by the early 16th-century scribe and music editor, Petrus Alamire (aka Peter van den Hove, c.1470 - 1536).