The ancient church of St Bartholomew-the-Great in the City of London resounded with joyous voices on the evening of Saturday 22nd March when Luminosa Voices performed Joanna Forbes L’Estrange’s A Season to Sing.

In this “reimagining” of Vivaldi’s evergreen The Four Seasons for mixed voices, the composer gave the audience an opportunity to experience this much-loved music in a different, often innovative way, while staying true to Vivaldi’s original framework.

Setting poems, hymn texts and Bible passages to Vivaldi’s well-known melodies revealed new details in the music, while witty additions such as whistled bird song, “body percussion” to represent raindrops, and wordless ‘scat’ singing (a tribute to Ward Swingle, founder of the Swingle Singers, for which Joanna Forbes L’Estrange was musical director) brought the individual Seasons to life with vibrant imagination and affection.

“A Season to Sing marks a revolutionary reimagination of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons….It was innovative and wonderful to listen to.” – Michael Howell (Music Artist & Finalist of The Piano, Channel 4)

“An unmissable and joyful experience” – audience member

“There is no doubt that Joanna has created something really special – a piece which respect’s Vivaldi’s original but lets choirs engage with this justly famous music; it was evident just how much the choir loved singing A Season to Sing. They may have been the first, but most assuredly they will not be the last.” Hugh Morris (Director, RSCM)

A Season to Sing is being performed around the world by choirs involved in the co-commissioning process. Performances have already taken place in Devon, West Sussex, Scotland and Australia with many more planned, and it will be available to purchase generally from 1^st June.

For more information click HERE