Country representing: France
Number of performers in the whole group: 20-23
Group website: www.barcarollechoir.com
Competitions Participating In: Female Voice Choirs
Biography:
Barcarolle Choir is an international and vibrant un-auditioned female choir with unique lunch time rehearsals. It takes its name from the Barcarolle musical genre from the “Contes d’Hoffman” composed by Offenbach.
History
The Choir was created in 2012 and Sam Evans took on the baton of Music Director in 2014. Sam has a unique ability to motivate the groups and his infectious enthusiasm is uplifting. Comprising two repertoire groups, Barcarolle offers something for all musical tastes and abilities. “I am so proud of how Barcarolle has grown and developed over the past ten years.
A decade ago Barcarolle was one choir, which met for 90 minutes on a Thursday afternoon. Now it is one choir, comprising two groups: the Belters and the Divas.
Barcarolle Choir Team
The two groups may specialise in different styles of music, but they often combine to sing certain songs, and together they retain the ethos of being one choir.
Barcarolle is one family! This has been the great strength of Barcarolle over the years – the sense of community among the members. Great friendships have been built within the choir.
The bond between the members also has a direct positive impact on the singing. When I started conducting the choir ten years ago, the chair was Helene Coste, whose commitment to Barcarolle helped the choir put down strong foundations in those early years.
Group Activities
The Belters sing pop/jazz songs, a lot of fun! Focusing on pop songs, jazz standards and songs from the West End, there is no requirement to read music to join this group.
The repertoire covers very different styles of music like Adele, The Beatles, Abba, Aretha Franklin, Sting, Walt Disney Classics …
The Divas encompass a classical and contemporary repertoire, with a focus on vocal technique and musical rehearsal. The repertoire covers a wide range of music and composers from Puccini to Rutter, from Mendelssohn to Whitacre, from Mozart to Fauré and many more.
A basic music reading and knowledge is advisable to join the group.
The two groups have joyful separate rehearsals but perform in joint Christmas and Summer concerts every year with a wide range of genres and repertoire. Barcarolle Choir is often invited to perform in other third-party events.
Chairwoman: Antonella Harrison
Helene was succeeded by Antonella Harrison, who has brought new energy and vision to Barcarolle. Antonella is a great champion of the choir, and with her as chair, the choir has taken on new challenges and had many wonderful experiences: from singing carols in the residence of the U.S. Ambassador to London, to performing in the stunning Cathedral in Orvieto, and to the choir’s recent success in Rimini.
“I am honored to have reached ten years as Music Director of this wonderful group of ladies, and I’m looking forward to lots more adventures in the years ahead.”
(Sam Evans, 10 years with Sam anniversary, June 2024)
Music Director: Sam Evans
Sam Evans is a professional baritone, singing teacher and choral conductor. A former choral scholar at King’s College Cambridge, he studied further at the Royal Academy of Music and at the Royal College of Music International Opera School, post-graduating in 2011 with prestigious Tagore Gold Medal.
Sam has worked professionally as a singer since 2000, performing with major UK choirs, including the Sixteen, the Monteverdi Choir and Polyphony.
He was a finalist in the 2007 Kathleen Ferrier Awards; in 2009, he won the Maisie Lewis Price which led to his solo recital debut at the Wigmore Hall, and won both First and Audience Prizes at the London Welsh Young Singer of the Year. He was a finalist in the 2010 Welsh Singer of the Year Competition at St David’s Hall, Cardiff. And as a soloist, he has appeared at the Royal Albert Hall, the Opéra Comique in Paris and Sydney Opera House.
Sam’s first conducting role was as Music Director of Riverside Opera in 2012. He became Music Director of the Barcarolle Choir in March 2014 and is also Music Director of Battersea Choral Society, Battersea Power Station Community Choir, Kew Gardens Choir and Harrow Choral Society.
As a conductor, Sam specializes in vocal music of all kinds: from community choirs to opera and professional chamber choirs.
Read more at http://www.samevansmusic.net
Pianist/Accompanist: Oliver Lallemant
Oliver Lallemant is Organist and Director of Music at St Stephen’s Dulwich, and runs several choirs including Sloane Square Choral Society, Chelsea Chamber Choir and the Chelsea Arts Club Singers.
Also a jazz pianist, Olly performs as a soloist or with his trio at weddings, soirées, cocktail receptions and Christmas parties.
He plays frequently around the world and can be heard three nights a week in the glorious setting of the Michelin-starred restaurant at the Ritz.
Read more at: https://www.chelseachamberchoir.com/team-4
Chair: Antonella Harrison
Treasurer: Antoinette Urwick
Secretary: Jocelyne Roullin
