Libera (music)

This page is about the vocal group. For the Latin hymn, see Libera Me.

Libera "Angel Voices" album cover (2006)

Libera is a non-profit all-boy English vocal group directed by Robert Prizeman. Most members come from the parish choir of St. Philip's, Norbury, in South London. The albums, tours and TV appearances they do as Libera are in addition to their regular singing as part of the full choir of men and boys at parish choral services. They come from a variety of backgrounds in the London area, attending many different schools, including local state schools, church schools and performing arts schools. Libera recruits boys from any religious denomination and even those with no religious affiliations. Most join between the ages of seven and ten, however older boys may join if they have the appropriate singing abilities.

According to a Songs of Praise TV special that aired January 25, 2009, the group has approximately 40 members between the ages of seven and 16, including new boys who are not yet ready to fully participate in albums or tours. Nineteen boys participated in their 2008 US tour. Twenty-four boys sang for the album New Dawn.

The group's name comes from its signature song. "Libera," which is based on the Libera Me portion of the Requiem Mass. "Libera" is the Latin word for "free".

Albums

The Anglican parish of St. Philip's, Norbury has a long choral tradition. Their first non-traditional commercial work was in 1984, when the boys of the St. Philip's Choir backed Sal Solo on his song "San Damiano." In 1987, the boys of St Philip's Choir released the single "Sing Forever." In 1988, the choir released the single "Adoramus." In 1988, the choir released their first full commercial album, Sing For Ever under the name St. Philip's Choir. The title track for this album was chosen by the BBC as the first Children in Need telethon anthem.

The second album, New Day, released in 1990, was the first album to use the name Angel Voices. During the 1990s, the names "St. Philip's Boy Choir" and "Angel Voices" were both used to refer to the choir. The third album, Angel Voices, was released in 1992. It was rereleased in 1993, with the choir referred to as the St Philip's Boy's Choir. Angel Voices 2 was released in 1996 and Angel Voices 3 was released in 1997. Both were released under the name of St. Philip's Boy's Choir, by the record label MCI.

In 1995, Robert Prizeman released a single and a CD entitled "Libera". The CD contained seven remixes of his original song, "Libera". The first 4 tracks feature Libera with Daren Geraghty as the main soloist; the last 3 tracks are performed by other artists. In the same year, the choir, calling itself Libera, performed the song on the TV program "Sunday Live". In 1999, the choir released another album entitled Libera, published by Warner Classics. From that point on, the choir has been consistently referred to as "Libera" when acting in its commercial capacity. The next Libera album, Luminosa, was released by Warner Classics in 2001. In 2003, Warner Classics rereleased Libera and Luminosa as a two CD set entitled Complete Libera. Ever since 2004, Libera has been under contract with EMI. Their first EMI album was Free. Visions came out in 2005. Libera's 2006 album, Angel Voices, was nominated as Album of the Year by the Classical Brit Awards. New Dawn was released in March 2008. In December 2008, they released their first double CD entitled Eternal (The best of Libera) which contains 26 tracks taken from earlier albums and six new tracks. Their latest album was released in 2010: 'Peace'

November 1st 2011 sees the release of Libera's "Christmas" album, a first for the group in their own right, although they have supported Aled Jones on two previous Christmas collaborations, one of which is a DVD.

Television

Major roles in the 1992 TV programme Titchmarsh on Song, presented by Alan Titchmarsh, and the 1993 TV programme Thora on the Straight and Narrow, introduced Angel Voices to a wider public. The show featured the first public performance of the song "De Profundis", which would become "Libera" and give the choir its name. Libera has made numerous music videos for Songs of Praise and Classic FM TV. Other TV appearances include guest spots on GMTV, Blue Peter, Sunday Live, Christmas Cooks, Top of the Pops, Wogan, and Last Choir Standing. In 1994, St Philip's Choir sang in an episode of the TV series Poirot. In 2003, Libera was the last act to perform on the UK version of the famous TV series This is your Life; they performed for guest Aled Jones. During the episode, it was mentioned that Libera had performed at Aled Jones' wedding. In February 2007, Libera appeared on the television contest When Will I Be Famous presented by Graham Norton on BBC 1. They won, and were invited back the following week. Libera has made several TV appearances in Japan and Korea. Libera also recorded the signature tune for Songs of Praise. Their rendition of "How Can I Keep From Singing" was featured on a British television ad for Waitrose.

On May 30 and May 31, 2007, Libera recorded two free concert performances at the Pieterkerk in Leiden, Holland, with the cooperation of the American Public Television. Footage from the performances was combined to create the TV special Angel Voices: Libera in Concert. The programme was featured on Public Broadcasting Service channels in the United States and released by EMI on DVD and CD. The DVD includes a bonus feature entitled "Libera in Their Own Words", which features interviews of some of the boys.

A thirty minute special about Libera aired on the BBC1 TV show Songs of Praise.

On April 14, 2010, as part of their 2010 Summer Philippine tour, Libera appeared as guests in the hit daytime tv show, Showtime, and sang Bayan Ko.

Concerts

In the United Kingdom, they have performed at the Grassington Festival, Arundel Cathedral, Glastonbury Abbey, Chichester Cathedral, St John's Church in Devon, St. Wilfred's Church, Croydon Fairfield Halls, the Royal Albert Hall, and the Queen Elizabeth Hall. Libera has also made several highly successful tours in Japan and South Korea.

In April 2005, Libera visited Japan for the first time. They sang at Sumida Triphony Hall in Tokyo and Yokohama BRITZ in the Kanagawa Prefecture. In October, they visited Japan again. They sang at Aichi Prefectural Art Theater, Yokohama Minato Mirai 21 and Bunkyo Civic Hall. In April 2007, they sang at The Symphony Hall in Osaka, Aichi Prefectural Art Theater and Bunkamura Orchard Hall in Tokyo. All concerts were a great success.

In December 2007, nine boys from Libera sang at the Kennedy Center Honors Awards, attended by the then-President of the United States George W. Bush and a host of celebrities. As part of a tribute to Brian Wilson, they performed his song "Love and Mercy". For this performance, the boys from Libera were backed by a chorus of boys from St. Albans School, which is affiliated with the Washington National Cathedral. In April 2008, Libera made its first concert tour of the United States, performing in Buffalo, Hartford, Albany, Pittsburgh and Riverside Church in New York City, New York. On April 20, they performed for the "Concert of Hope" prior to the Papal Mass in Yankee Stadium.

In January 2009, Libera visited Japan to help promote the movie, "Nobody to Watch Over Me." Libera sang the film's official soundtrack, You Were There.

In April 2009, Libera returned to Japan and performed a concert in Miyagi Hall in Sendai, and two concerts in Bunkamura Orchard Hall in Tokyo. They also performed a charity concert. From Japan, they flew to California to perform in St. Margaret's Episcopal Church in Palm Desert and at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, Orange County.

During the summer of 2009 Libera performed concerts in Dublin (National Concert Hall), Belfast and Edinburgh, all to sell out crowds.

In October 2009, Libera toured the Philippines (sponsored by the British Alumni Association). On October 25, the boys performed at the Philippine International Convention Center Plenary Hall in the Manila Metropolitan Area. On October 28, they performed at the Pacific Grand Ballroom of Waterfront Hotel, Lahug, Cebu City. The Manila concert was sold out. The concert repertoire for the tour included "Orinoco Flow," by Enya, which makes reference to the island of Cebu. The encore song was "Bayan Ko," which is in Tagalog.

Libera returned to Asia in April 2010 for a series of concerts, beginning in Tokyo Japan, where they performed in Bunkamura Orchard Hall on April 8 and 9. From there, they traveled to Seoul, South Korea where they performed at Sejong Center for the Performing Arts on April 11. Libera then flew to the Philippines for their Philippine Summer Promo Tour 2010. They had two showcase performances (matinee and gala) at the RCBC Plaza Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium on April 16, to promote their latest album, Peace.

In the summer of 2010, Libera returned to the United States for another tour. They performed in Texas, Missouri, Tennessee, and Georgia.

Returning to England, Libera performed four cathedral concerts at Bristol (Clifton Cathedral), Chester (Cathedral), London and Beverley (Minster) respectively. They also performed a concert at the Epsom Playhouse in March 2011.

Libera started their first tour of Canada on 14 April 2011. Their seven-performance tour consisted of Saint Michael's Catholic Cathedral in Toronto on 14 April 2011, First St. Andrew's Church in Toronto on 15 April 2011, Islington United Church in Toronto on 17 April 2011, Centre in the Square in Kitchener on 18 April 2011, St. Paul's Congregational Church in Chatham on 19 April 2011, West Highland Baptist Church in Hamilton on 22 April 2011 (Good Friday), and concluding at Church of Our Lady Immaculate in Guelph on 24 April 2011 (Easter Sunday). The shows at Islington United Church and West Highland Baptist Church sold out.

Libera's next major tour of the USA took place in the summer of 2011 and saw them appearing in six concerts and a church service. These were: Minneapolis (Basilica of St Mary) on July 27th, Saint Paul (Cathedral) on July 29th, Morning Worship at the Moody Church and a concert at the Rockefeller Chapel on July 31st, the Cathedral Basilica of St Louis on August 3rd, Stonebriar Community Church, Frisco, on August 7th, and Houston on August 9th.

On September 25th 2011 Libera shared a stage with Andrea Boccelli, Katharine Jenkins, Aled Jones, and others, in a concert from Alexandra Palace, London, UK, to mark the 50th Anniversary of the BBC's Songs of Praise programme. Tickets were just £12 each and the programme was duly broadcast a week later on BBC television.

Libera toured the Philippines during the October 2011 UK school half-term period, with sell-out Christmas album concerts in Manila and Cebu. Meet and Greets were also held at both locations and television appearances made. The Christmas Album went straight to the top of the music charts there.

On Saturday November 5th 2011, ten boys from Libera performed three tracks from the Christmas Album live on the QVC shopping channel in the UK, and that album was extensively plugged during the session.

Libera returned to St George's Cathedral on the 25th November 2011 to perform tracks from their Christmas Album along with other favourites, this concert was sold out and packed to full capacity.

Christmas 2011 saw Libera appear on various UK television shows, including Songs of Praise, This Morning, Bliss TV, and Live with Gabby on C5. Their Christmas Album has done well in the charts outside of Europe but no publicity was undertaken by EMI in the UK or Europe whatsoever.

The Easter Tour 2012 takes in two concerts in each of Singapore and Japan. Some of these concerts sold out very quickly.

A European tour is being considered for Summer 2012.

Libera have also put out a call for funding and sponsorship for tours and concerts worldwide, inviting any interested parties to contact them directly via their main website, or through any fan.

Supporting roles

Libera has provided choral backing to a number of artists, including Aled Jones, Björk, Luciano Pavarotti, Hayley Westenra, Peter Skellern, José Carreras, Neil Diamond, Cliff Richard, and Michael Crawford. Libera has also sung for several film soundtracks, including Romeo & Juliet, The Merchant of Venice, Shadowlands and Hannibal. A movie preview for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button uses a brief selection from one of their songs, but they do not appear in the film's final soundtrack.

Several Libera members have performed solo work outside of Libera while still members of the choir. For example, Tom Cully sang for Silence, Night and Dreams by Zbigniew Preisner, and can be heard singing in an episode of the British television series Foyle's War. In 2002, Libera member Steven Geraghty was a featured soloist for the soundtrack of the PlayStation 2 game ICO. Libera member Ben Crawley did solo work for Paul Joyce's production of The Snow Queen in 2004.

Style

Music

Libera has a distinctive sound. All of its singers are boys, most with unchanged boy soprano (also known as treble) voices, with those boys in their early teens singing the lowest parts. Almost all their songs are either new compositions by Robert Prizeman or unique arrangements of classical and contemporary tunes. Prizeman often composes and arranges pieces with individual soloists in mind, to emphasize the variety of characteristics and qualities in the boys' voices. His compositions blend innovative textures, meditative soloists and vibrant ecstatic chorus harmonies that stretch across the full range of the boys' range. Libera's music frequently combines elements of Gregorian chant, classical composers such as Debussy, Beethoven and Pachelbel, as well as contemporary pop and new age music. Some of their songs, such as "Sanctus", have appeared in different versions on several of their albums. Some more contemporary songs have been covered by the group, such as Enya's Orinoco Flow.

Most of Libera's lyrics come from traditional hymns, the Latin Rite liturgy, and contemporary songs by artists ranging from Brian Wilson to Enya. However, lyrics from various poems and original lyrics are also used. For example, We are the Lost uses the poems "In Flanders Fields" by John McCrae and "For the Fallen" by Laurence Binyon, along with a single stanza from the English hymn, "O God, Our Help in Ages Past" by Isaac Watts. While most of the Libera's original lyrics are written by Robert Prizeman, other individuals, including former Libera soloist Steven Geraghty, have also contributed new lyrics to recent albums.

Libera uses a variety of instrumentation. Robert Prizeman, Ian Tilley and Steven Geraghty play electronic keyboards, piano and organ. Steven Geraghty also played clarinet for Free, Visions and Angel Voices, and percussion for Visions and Angel Voices. All of their EMI albums feature Fiona Pears on the violin. Angel Voices: Libera in Concert has additional backing by Il Novecento Orchestra. The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra provides backing to their album, New Dawn.

Clothing

For most of their performances, the boys of Libera wear distinctive white hooded robes based on monastic cowls. The choir's use of white robes goes back at least to 1987. The boys can be seen wearing the robes on the cover of their first single, Sing Forever. Other Libera uniforms include white or black hoodies and dark blue slacks with light blue shirts. Some of their videos have featured the boys wearing regular, casual clothing.

Cover art

Common motifs in the cover art of the choir's albums include birds, clouds, light as well as pictures of the choristers. The 1993 release of Angel Voices, Angel Voices 2, Angel Voices 3, Libera, Luminosa and Welcome to Libera's World all feature white birds on their covers. Sing Forever, the 1992 release of Angel Voices, Angel Voices: Libera in Concert and New Dawn show several of the boys dressed in white robes. Free and Visions both show a single, ghostly figure in white robes against a cloudy background. On album Free the ghostly figure featured is Callum Payne. The 2006 Angel Voices album shows several boys wearing what appear to be white hoodies.

Discography

Singles

• 1987: Sing For Ever
• 1988: Adoramus
• 1995: Libera

Albums

Sing For Ever

• Release Date: 1988
• Vocal Soloists: Jaymi Bandtock, Jonathan Arthey, Ian Grimley, Sam Harper, Gareth Lowman, Mathew Arthey

New Day

• Release Date: 1990
• Vocal Soloists: Robert Chee-A-Tow, Jaymi Bandtock, Gareth Lowman

Angel Voices

• Release Dates: 1992, 1993
• Vocal Soloists: Oliver Putland, Daren Geraghty,Anthony Maher

Angel Voices 2

• Release Date: 1996
• Vocal Soloists: Chris Baron, Daren Geraghty, Liam O'Kane

Peace on Earth

• Release Dates: 1996

Angel Voices 3

• Release Date: 1997
• Vocal Soloists: Liam O'Kane, Steven Geraghty, Adam Harris, Chris Baron, Alex Baron

Libera

• Release Date: 1999
• Vocal Soloists: Liam O'Kane, Adam Harris, Steven Geraghty, Alex Baron
• Instrumentalists: None are credited on the album, however Robert Prizeman did the keyboard work.

Luminosa

• Release Date: 2001
• Vocal Soloists: Steven Geraghty, Ben Crawley, Sam Coates, Simon Beston
• Instrumentalists: None are credited on the album, however Robert Prizeman did the keyboard work.

Complete Libera

• Release Date: 2003
• Vocal Soloists: Liam O'Kane, Adam Harris, Steven Geraghty, Ben Crawley, Sam Coates, Simon Beston, Alex Baron
• 2 CD set with Libera and Luminosa

Free

• Release Date: 2004
• Vocal Soloists: Ben Crawley, Joseph Platt, Christopher Robson, Anthony Chadney, Raoul Neumann
• Instrumentalists: Robert Prizeman, Fiona Pears, Dominic Kelly, Steven Geraghty, Chris Dodd, Ian Tilley, Helen Cole

Visions

• Release Date: 2005
• Vocal Soloists: Tom Cully, Conor O'Donnell, Michael Horncastle, Joseph Sanders-Wilde, Callum Payne, James Vereycken
• Directed & Conducted by: Robert Prizeman
• Produced by: Robert Prizeman & Ian Tilley
• Assisted by: Sam Coates, Steven Geraghty & Ben Crawley
• Instruments: Robert Prizeman, Ian Tilley, Fiona Pears, John Anderson, Steven Geraghty & Chris Dodd

Welcome to Libera's World

• Release Date: 2006
• Vocal Soloists: Joseph Platt, Ben Crawley, Liam O'Kane, Michael Horncastle, Joseph Sanders-Wilde
• Instrumentalists: Robert Prizeman, Fiona Pears, John Anderson, Steven Geraghty, Chris Dodd, Ian Tilley
• Released only in Japan. Most of the tracks are rereleased from the earlier albums. It includes only one new track, "Far Away."

Angel Voices

• Release Date: 2006
• Vocal Soloists: Michael Horncastle, Ed Day, Connor O'Donnell, Tom Cully, Joshua Madine, Joseph Platt, Christopher Robson, Anthony Chadney, Joseph Sanders-Wilde, James Vereycken
• Instrumentalists: Robert Prizeman, Fiona Pears, John Anderson, Steven Geraghty, Chris Dodd, Ian Tilley

Angel Voices - Libera in Concert

• Release Date: 2007
• Vocal Soloists: Joshua Madine, Ben Philipp, Tom Cully, Ed Day, Liam Connery, Sam Leggett, Joe Snelling
• Instrumentalists: Robert Prizeman, Fiona Pears, Steven Geraghty, Il Novecento Orchestra
• Released as a DVD and a CD

New Dawn

• Release Date: 2008
• Vocal Soloists: Tom Cully, Joshua Madine, Ed Day, Liam Connery, Joe Snelling, Benedict Philipp
• Instrumentalists: Robert Prizeman, Fiona Pears, Ian Tilley, Steven Geraghty, Sam Coates, City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra

Prayer ~You Were There~

• Release Date: 2008
• Vocal Soloists: Tom Cully, Ed Day, Joshua Madine, Liam Connery, Ben Crawley, Joseph Sanders-Wilde, Joseph Platt, Christopher Robson, Anthony Chadney
• Released only in Japan. Most of the tracks are rereleased from the earlier albums.

Eternal – The Best of Libera

• Release Date: 2009
• Vocal Soloists: Tom Cully, Ed Day, Joshua Madine, Liam Connery, Ben Crawley, Joseph Platt, Michael Horncastle, Joseph Sanders-Wilde, Raoul Neumann
• Two disk compilation album with a mix of old and new songs

Peace

• Release Date: March 8, 2010 (International) / April 6, 2010 (US)
• Vocal Soloist: Benedict Philipp, Joshua Madine, Tom Cully, Stefan Leadbeater, James Threadgill, Jakob De Menezes-Wood, Daniel Fontannaz, James Mordaunt, Ralph Skan
• Duets: Stefan Leadbeater - Daniel Fontannaz, Benedict Philipp - Jakob De Menezes-Wood
• Directed and conducted by Robert Prizeman
• Produced by Ian Tilley, Robert Prizeman and Sam Coates
• Assisted by Steven Geraghty, Ben Crawley and Tom Cully
• Musicians: Robert Prizeman, Ian Tilley, Steven Geraghty, Fiona Pears, Jonathan Howell

Peace DeLuxe Edition

Celebrating the chart-topping success of Libera's Peace, the recording is repackaged in deluxe form in time for the holidays.

• Release Date: Nov 22, 2010 (EU and Japan) / Dec 7, 2010 (US)
  • Credits: Same as for Peace
  • Limited Edition Deluxe Package features (refer to album page)

Libera Song of life

• Release Date: 2011
• Released only in Japan. "Song of life" was used in Japanese television drama.

The St. Philip's Boys Choir: The Best of Angel Voices

• Release Date: 2011
• Vocal Soloists: Oliver Putland, Daren Geraghty, Liam O'Kane
• This album is a compilation of songs from Angel Voices (1992) and Angel Voices 2 (1996), from the time period from before the choir became known as Libera.

"Libera-The Christmas Album"

• "Release Date:"' November 2011

Directed and conducted by Robert Prizeman

• 16 Christmas tracks, in the distinctive Libera style.

Track Listings 1. Joy to the World 2. Still, still, still 3. Carol of the Bells 4. Veni, Veni Emmanuel 5. Once in Royal David's City 6. O Holy Night 7. White Christmas 8. Corpus Christi Carol 9. In Dulci Jubilo 10. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas 11. Sing the Story 12. Coventry Carol 13. The First Nowell 14. Jubilate Deo 15. While Shepherds watched their Flocks 16. Lullabye (Goodnight my angel)

"Libera-The Christmas Album - Deluxe Edition"

• "Release Date:"' November 2011

The Deluxe 'experience' edition features a four panel digipack, lyric cards with behind the scene and candid images of Libera, and a silver Christmas wreathe ornament exclusive to this package.

Movie soundtracks

• 1995: Twelve Monkeys
• 1997: Romeo and Juliet
• 1998: Cousin Bette
• 2001: Hannibal
• 2005: The Merchant of Venice
• 2009: Nobody to Watch Over Me
• 2011: The Greatest Miracle

Supporting roles on albums and singles

• 1984: San Damiano, by Sal Solo
• 1990: Christmas Wrapping, by Tony Robinson
• 1994: The Christmas Album, Vol 2, by Neil Diamond
• 1997: The Big Picture, by Elton John
• 2002: Aled, by Aled Jones
• 2003: Higher, by Aled Jones
• 2004: The Christmas Album, by Aled Jones
• 2008: Aled's Christmas Carols by Aled Jones (DVD)
• 2009: Tchaikovsky, The Nutcracker, with Berlin Philharmonic cond. Simon Rattle
• 2010: The Prayer by Classical Relief for Haiti (Various Artists)

External links

• Official website
• Official Libera YouTube channel
• Official Libera Facebook Page
• Official Libera Twitter Page
• Official Libera MySpace Page

*[http://www.libera-fans-uk.com]

• Angel Voices album microsite
• New Dawn album minisite
• EMI Classics page about Libera
• Libera360
• Libera page at Let's Sing It (lyrics & info)