Performance
I have performed as both a counter-tenor and baritone with highly-regarded ensembles from the United Kingdom, as well as a number of Australia’s best-regarded choral and early music groups, and as a soloist.
To get in touch about performance opportunities, contact me at info@davidyardley.net.
In the UK
Gaïta
- LISTEN to Ja Nuns Hons Pris, composed by King Richard I of England (aka Richard the Lionheart)(1157-1199). Counter-tenor: David Yardley, medieval harp: Cait Webb, recorded 2005. (Lyrics)
My most recent collaboration with international performers was as a guest of Edinburgh-based medieval musicians, Gaïta. In the summer of 2005, Gaïta was employed by Historic Scotland to perform in the Great Hall of Edinburgh Castle. Arising out of these performances, we made a number of recordings.
In the above piece, King Richard laments having been imprisoned while making his way back to England after the First Crusade, as well as the fact that it seems to be taking his impoverished subjects rather longer than he feels it should to ransom him out of prison! The lyrics were originally written in Old French, and are here sung using authentic pronunciation. They communicate a compelling mix of ruffled regal pride, genuine isolation and fear felt by the imprisoned, unransomed Richard. Although at some points the narrator starts to come across as petulant, his despair at the situation reveals itself with the plaintive final line of each verse. Every verse ends with the Old French word “pris,” showing the narrator unable to keep his thoughts away from his situation.
Gaïta released O Dulcis Scotia: Music in Medieval Scotland in mid-2006. The CD includes some tracks we recorded together in 2005, and is available from their website www.gaita.co.uk. The website includes samples from the new CD.
Jesus College, Cambridge (and other Cambridge-based groups)
While studying at the University of Cambridge in 2003-4, I sang with a number of choirs based in the University. I held a choral scholarship as a counter-tenor with the Choir of Jesus College, Cambridge under director Daniel Hyde and also sang with the Cambridge Medieval Music Group under Edward Wickham (director of the famous early music ensemble The Clerks’ Group ).
Under organ scholar Catherine Langston, I also performed with my own college’s choir (Sidney Sussex College Choir). Lastly, I performed on a regular basis with the Schola Cantorum of Fisher House, both in Cambridge and on their tour of Rome in the summer of 2004, under Christopher Hodkinson.
In Australia
Peter Wilkin
- LISTEN to Now, O Now, I Needs Must Part, composed by John Dowland. Counter-tenor, David Yardley, Guitar: Peter Wilkin. Recorded 2004. (Lyrics)
Sydney harpist/guitarist Peter Wilkin and I have collaborated and performed together on many occasions. We have recorded a CD of Renaissance English songs by Dowland, Campian and Pilkington, from which the above track is taken
The Choir of St James’ Church, King Street
This choir is one of Australia’s finest -- with them I held a choral scholarship as a baritone from 2000-2003. Since then I have been an occasional performer as both a counter-tenor and baritone. The choir performs works from across the breadth of Western church music, with an emphasis on Renaissance and contemporary pieces. Renowned organist David Drury is the director.
Over 2003-2005, the choir has released a number of CDs, samples of which can be heard on their website.
The Sydney Chamber Choir
The Sydney Chamber Choir has a long-standing reputation as one of Australia’s best choirs. I sang regularly with the choir as a baritone and, later, as a counter-tenor over the period 1998-2005, under director Nicholas Routley. The choir performs a very wide range of works, from Josquin to Richard Rodney Bennett, and has CDs available through its website.
Some other Australian groups I have performed with: