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The King’s Singers will return to Shenzhen Concert Hall on May 4. Photos courtesy of SZ Concert Hall
For over half a century, The King’s Singers has defined the gold standard in a cappella performance, captivating audiences on the world’s greatest stages. This May 4, the celebrated six-man ensemble returns to Shenzhen Concert Hall for a special Youth Day celebration.
Renowned for their flawless technique, musical brilliance, and extraordinary versatility, the group draws from a rich heritage while constantly reinventing their repertoire with innovative collaborations and recordings. Their prolific discography has earned them two Grammy Awards, an Emmy, and a place in Gramophone magazine’s inaugural Hall of Fame.
Formed in 1968 by six choral scholars from King’s College, Cambridge, the ensemble has maintained its unique six-voice configuration for 57 years. The current lineup features countertenors Patrick Dunachie and Edward Button, tenor Julian Gregory, baritones Christopher Bruerton and Nick Ashby, and bass Piers Connor Kennedy.
The May 4 concert will take audiences on a melodic journey through time, divided into seven thematic chapters.
Since their China debut in 2006, The King’s Singers has won the hearts of countless local fans. Their May 4 concert will take audiences on a melodic journey through time, divided into seven thematic chapters.
The program opens with two traditional British folk songs, “Blow Away the Morning Dew” and “The Oak and the Ash,” where the countertenors’ crystalline tremolos intertwine with the bass’ resonant depths — evoking the first light breaking through England’s misty forests, alive with the scent of dew-kissed earth. The mood then shifts to early 20th-century New York with “The Peanut Vendor,” its jazz-infused harmonies conjuring the lively cries of street vendors and the smoky aroma of roasting peanuts.
Next, the group showcases their signature virtuosity — turning voices into instruments. The 1970s pop hit “I Am a Train” transforms into a six-part mechanical symphony, building from the chugging rhythms of a steam engine to a soaring whistle. “Slow Train” follows with wistful nostalgia, while the overture to “The Barber of Seville” dazzles as a master class in vocal orchestration, mimicking tremolo strings, timpani, and coloratura flourishes.
The musical voyage continues with timeless classics: The Beatles’ “Honey Pie,” Randy Newman’s “Texas Girl at the Funeral of Her Father,” George Gershwin’s “Oh, I Can’t Sit Down,” and The Beach Boys’ “Kokomo.” A delightful surprise awaits as the ensemble reimagines Jacky Cheung’s “She Came to Listen to My Concert” and the beloved “The Moon Represents My Heart” in their signature a cappella style.
The program also features contemporary gems, including John David’s “You Are the New Day,” Harold Arlen’s “I’ve Got the World on a String,” and Bob Chilcott’s “We Are” — a piece commissioned by the group. The concert crescendos with Billie Eilish’s haunting “Ocean Eyes,” Randy Newman’s tender “When She Loved Me” (from “Toy Story 2”), and the Disney favorite “The Bare Necessities” (from “The Jungle Book”).
Don’t miss the chance to experience The King’s Singers’ unparalleled vocal universe.
Time: 8 p.m., May 4
