Renowned chamber choir Bath Camerata has been invited to give concerts in seven Chinese cities over a 10-day visit this August.

The whistle-stop tour starts in Shanghai and then covers thousands of miles around China, taking in Chengdu, Nanning, Yinchuan, Dalian, Fuzhou and Baotou before returning to the UK from Beijing.

Bath Camerata has been invited to China by Chinese promoter Liang Classic Arts Management, who first made contact with the choir two years ago after being impressed by their recordings via the internet.   

Singer and Choir Manager Alastair Steel says:

“This tour is going to be unlike any of our previous tours. Just sorting out contracts (in English and Mandarin), getting the programme approved by the Chinese government, and finding flights on a tight budget have kept the promoter and me busy for some time.  Singing to thousands of people in huge venues and sampling the very different culture in so many parts of China will make it all worthwhile.”

Bath Camerata consists of 22 singers from Bath and the surrounding regions, and has been a regular musical presence in the South West for over 30 years.  Its members are enthusiastic and expert singers, all auditioned and trained to an exceptionally high standard by its musical director Benjamin Goodson.  Benjamin lives in Berlin and has recently been appointed Chief Conductor of the Netherlands Radio Choir, but comes over to Bath for rehearsal and concerts.

Benjamin says:

“I’m excited to be taking a “Best-of-British” programme to China, from classic partsongs by Gerald Finzi to new music by Will Todd. We’ll also be singing favourite folk songs of the British Isles and jazz by John Rutter and George Shearing!”

25 year old singer Holly Adams says:

“Singing with Bath Camerata is a fantastic experience for young singers.  Since joining the choir three years ago, I’ve progressed not just in my vocal ability, but my musical awareness and professionalism, and I hope to continue working and improving with them.”

As well as going through their own preparations for the trip (including visas and jabs), the choir are preparing for their pre-tour concert at Holy Trinity Church, Bradford on Avon on Sunday 7 July at 4pm. Tickets are available from www.bathcamerata.co.uk or via Bath Box Office on 01225 463362.