Trinity Boys Choir soloists perform with Royal Ballet

Two students from the Trinity Boys Choir – Oliver in the Second Year and Alex in the Third Year – recently performed one of the most beautiful and exposed solos in the repertoire when they joined the Royal Ballet at the Royal Opera House for Sir Wayne McGregor’s acclaimed ballet Yugen, set to Leonard Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms.

Performed as part of a mixed bill in the Linbury Theatre, the production ran across several performances this spring, with Oliver and Alex taking turns to sing the iconic treble solo alongside the Royal Opera Extra Chorus and Royal Ballet dancers. The role demands exceptional musicianship, calmness and confidence, with the solo line floating above the orchestra and chorus in moments of extraordinary stillness and beauty.

The piece requires beautiful, easy, sweet singing, as well as nerves of steel, and both boys performed with stellar poise and musicality, adding something wonderful to the breathtaking dancing of the ballet artists. They displayed utter professionalism in representing themselves and the school in a world-famous theatre. Members of the orchestra were also full of praise for the boys’ performances, with some commenting that they had rarely heard such beautiful singing from young soloists.

Critics were equally enthusiastic about the production. Reviewing a performance featuring Alex, London Unattached described the “ethereal solo by a boy treble” as something that “truly got under my skin”, while BachTrack called the treble soloist “all consuming”. SeeingDance.com praised the “striking purity” of the sound, noting how “human sound and human movement, two distinct expressive modes, suddenly operate as one” and The Stage called the solo “hauntingly lovely”. The acclaim reflected the artistry and professionalism both students brought to the role throughout the run.

For Oliver and Alex, the experience offered a rare opportunity to work at the highest professional level, collaborating with internationally renowned musicians, dancers and conductors in one of the world’s leading opera houses. It was a memorable achievement for both students and another proud moment for Trinity Boys Choir – well done to both students.