Cantillation is a chorus of professional singers – an ensemble of fine voices with the speed, agility and flexibility of a chamber orchestra. Formed in 2001 by Antony Walker and Alison Johnston, it has since been busy in the concert hall, opera theatre and the recording studio.

Highlights have included Nigel Westlake’s Missa solis, John Adams’ Harmonium, Brahms’ A German Requiem, Ross Edwards’ Star Chant, Haydn’s Creation, Vaughan Williams’ Flos Campi (also recorded for CD) and Jonathan Mills’ Sandakan Threnody (all with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra); The Crowd with the Australian Chamber Orchestra; tours of regional NSW and performances with Emma Kirkby in Sydney and Melbourne, for Musica Viva; singing for the Dalai Lama and the Rugby World Cup; recording soundtracks for several movies, including Peter Rabbit, The Lego Movies, Happy Feet 2, Live Bait 3D, I, Frankenstein and Cane Toads: The Conquest; and recording and filming Jonathan Mills’ opera The Eternity Man.
For ABC Classics Cantillation has recorded more than 30 CDs and DVDs, including the Requiems of Faur. and Mozart; Miserere: Sacred Music of the Renaissance; a collection of contemplative 20th-century sacred works entitled Prayer for Peace; Orff’s Carmina burana; the Christmas disc Silent Night; an album of folk songs entitled Ye Banks and Braes; Magnificat with Emma Kirkby; Hallelujah! A Celebration of Baroque Choruses; and Handel’s Messiah, on CD and DVD.

For Pinchgut LIVE Cantillation appears on Haydn’s L’Anima del filosofo, Rameau’s Castor & Pollux, Gluck’s Iphignie en Tauride and Handel’s Theodora,

Cantillation is the official chorus for Pinchgut Opera, having performed in every opera with chorus produced by the company since it began in 2002.

PINCHGUT PERFORMANCES:

2002 Semele
2003 The Fairy Queen
2004 Orfeo
2005 Dardanus
2006 Idomeno
2007 Juidtha Triumphans
2008 David and Jonathan
2010 L'Anima del Filosofo
2012 Castor and Pollux
2014 Iphigenie en Tauride
2016 Theodora
2018 Athalia
2021 Platée
2021 Vespers
2022 Women of the Pietà
2022 Medée  
2024 Theodora In Concert