Paul Hillier leads Theatre of Voices in a fascinating programme centred on Luciano Berio: "Although not all these composers actually knew each other, I think of them as a group of mutual friends with shared interests and predilections. If there is a link between them it is perhaps the influence of John Cage, though it could almost equally have been the personality of Cathy Berberian. I’ve had the privilege of meeting them all except Berio.

The largest work is Berio’s A-Ronne, which is for me an iconic example of the representative madrigal in modern dress. Mostly the pieces appear to tell a story – or stories – but avoid getting to the point. Two of them advance in straight lines by following the alphabet (A-Ronne, Stripsody), while others go round in circles, around and around." (Paul Hillier)

The Grammy®-award winning ensemble Theatre of Voices was founded by Paul Hillier in 1990. Current projects include music ranging from Dowland, Carissimi, Buxtehude and Bach, to many of today’s most eminent composers such as Arvo Pärt, Steve Reich, John Cage, Pelle Gudmundsen Holmgreen, and David Lang.

Paul Hillier is from Dorset. In 2006 he was awarded the O.B.E. for services to choral music and in 2007 he received the Order of the White Star of Estonia. His recordings have won numerous awards, including two Grammys®. He was Principal Conductor of the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir from 2001 to 2007 and he currently conducts Ars Nova Copenhagen, the National Chamber Choir of Ireland (Dublin), and the Coro Casa da Música (Porto).