The Marian Consort
The Marian Consort (TMC) is a vocal ensemble that presents bold and thrilling performances across the UK, Europe, North America and Asia. Led by founder and director, Rory McCleery, the group is composed of the very best singers in a flexible, intimate ensemble, allowing clarity of texture and subtlety of interpretation that illuminates the music for performer and audience alike. TMC features regularly on BBC Radio 3, and has released 15 recordings to critical acclaim, praised for ‘precision and pellucid textures’ (The Times).
TMC performs music from the 12th century to the present day, with a focus on bringing to light and championing marginalised and lesser-known composers such as Vicente Lusitano, Raffaella Aleotti, and Jean Maillard. TMC has premiered over 30 works to date, and in recent years it has commissioned Dani Howard, Marcus Rock, David Fennessy and Electra Perivolaris. TMC regularly collaborates with soloists and ensembles including Daniel Pioro, Britten Sinfonia, and Illyria Consort.
TMC is a pioneer of projects which move beyond the confines of the traditional concert, most notably Breaking the Rules, a staged concert-drama based on the life and crimes of Carlo Gesualdo called ‘daring and vivid’ by The Guardian; and Lusitano Remixed, a surround sound installation made with Roderick Williams. Recent highlights include a concert at the BBC Proms; performances in the Bascule Chamber inside London’s Tower Bridge; the premiere of a major new commission by Laurence Osborn at Wigmore Hall; and tours of the US and Japan. The Marian Consort is ensemble in residence with Music at Oxford across 2023 and 2024.