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About Us

Victor Leeson

Victor Leeson, a key figure in Dublin musical circles, formed the Guinness Choir in Dublin in 1951. The choir developed an extensive repertoire of classical and modern works, and John Dexter, organist and master of the choristers at St Patrick's Cathedral, who succeeded Victor Leeson as musical director in 1984, continued this tradition. David Milne has been musical director since 1991.

Many distinguished Irish and international soloists have sung with the choir over the years. The Guinness Choir is also committed to supporting emerging Irish talent and in recent years many young singers have appeared with the choir.

The repertoire of the choir spans the centuries from early music to the present day - from Monteverdi's 1610 Vespers through to Andrew Lloyd Webber's Requiem, John Rutter's Psalmfest, Gerard Victory's Ultima Rerum and Rhoda Coghill's Out of the Cradle.

David Milne

Other works performed by the choir include Haydn's Nelson Mass, Bach's Mass in B Minor, St John Passion and St Matthew Passion, Handel's Messiah, Mendelssohn's Elijah and St Paul, Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, Brahms' German Requiem, Berlioz's Messe Solonnelle, Verdi's Requiem, Fauré's Requiem, Britten's War Requiem, Elgar's Dream of Gerontius, Dvorak's Stabat Mater, Mahler's Symphony of a Thousand (No 8) and Duruflé's Requiem.

In 2001 the Guinness Choir celebrated 50 years of making music with a Jubilee Season, beginning with Arvo Pärt's Passio performed in the presence of Triin Parts, the Estonian Chargé d'Affaires. At the gala concert in May the Irish premiere of John Adam's Harmonium, and Walton's Belshazzar's Feast were performed with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. The Season ended in December with a performance of Handel's Samson, which was the first oratorio performed by the choir in December 1951.

Read about Victor Leeson

Read about The Victor Leeson Perpetual Trophy

Read about David Milne

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