SIX APPEAL: The Gesualdo Six, pictured with musical director Owain Park, will hold a workshop with youngsters before a performance at Barnard Castle School
SIX APPEAL: The Gesualdo Six, pictured with musical director Owain Park, will hold a workshop with youngsters before a performance at Barnard Castle School

THE sublime sounds of the acclaimed vocal consort The Gesualdo Six will echo through the chapel at Barnard Castle School at 7.30pm on December 10.

The male ensemble, comprising three pairs of bass, tenor and alto voices and directed by Owain Park, have been the subject of five-star reviews since their formation five years ago.

Unaccompanied, they sing music from the renaissance juxtaposed with modern works, and have previously been likened to the King’s Singers. Hearing their perfect blend of voices making beautiful music is virtually guaranteed to give the listener goosebumps.

It only came about thanks to the school’s director of music Richard Dawson, who invited the consort when one of their international tour dates was cancelled.

The Gesualdo Six will also lead a workshop with students from the school’s chapel choir at 4pm that day and will perform two songs with the choir in the concert.

Based in Cambridge, The Gesualdo Six gave more than 100 performances around the UK and abroad during their first four years. For many of them, their passion for ensemble singing has stemmed from formative years as choristers in churches and cathedrals around the country.

They have performed in many festivals across the UK and Europe and next year travel to the United States on tour.

They have recently released their second album Christmas with Hyperion Records, which follows on from their debut of English renaissance polyphony English Motets, in April last year.

Tickets are available from https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-gesualdo-six-christmas-tour-2019-tickets-83158323785