London-based vocal ensemble Peregrina EnChantica, founded by composer Zory Burner as a significant part of her initiatives and projects, specializing in authentic and original music within the world fusion and contemporary classical genres
About Us
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Vocal Ensemble
Peregrina EnChantica
Composer / Artistic Director
Zory Burner
About
Peregrina EnChantica is a project-based vocal ensemble, named after the Peregrine falcon, aiming to 'enchant' audiences with performances of original music by its founder, composer Zory Burner, within the world fusion and contemporary classical genres.
The ensemble has built an impressive track record in very short time, starting with a concert series, under the motto "A Journey on the Wings of Music" in late 2014. Introducing the first type of repertoire they present: a musical progression of authentic Pre-Renaissance Byzantine chants (14th c.), intertwined with the beauty and intricacy of the Bulgarian folklore, their derivatives by classical composers of 18th -20th c., and Zory’s original, contemporary arrangements. Peregrina EnChantica is one of the first choirs in the UK to specialize in concert performances of this unique genre and aims to shine a bright light on this thousand-year-old phenomenon, and to infuse an exotic element into the local culture.
Forming a partnership with David Lindo (The Urban Birder - naturalist, writer, broadcaster), the ensemble started building an ongoing project, dedicated and inspired by nature, in support of wildlife conservation and with a special focus on birds. Contributing to UK’s National Bird Vote 2015, through their first single - “Sub Dio” (“Under The Open Sky”), filming a music video and turning it into an anthem of the campaign. The song was published by InkStain Press, US, and presented on Amazing Radio. It is also the first part of Zory’s original song-cycle, a compelling fusion of musical genres, further developed within her “Look Up” project, supported by Arts Council England. Thanks to their support, the ensemble started making an artistic contribution into the work of major nature conservation organizations, enormously increasing the opportunity for their supporters to experience, enjoy and be involved in artistic activities.
Zory ran a tremendously successful concert series 2015/16, featuring performances at multiple national and international festivals, among which - the Brandenburg choral festival of London, Southbank Centre’s Chorus Festival and the International Youth Festival of Arts, "The Muses" in Sozopol, Bulgaria, where the ensemble was awarded first place in four categories.
Forming further partnerships, Peregrina EnChantica serenaded birding enthusiasts and experts alike with “Forgotten Names” - a special dedication to the highly endangered species of birds. The song was presented in support of RSPB's Skydancer & Hen Harrier Life projects, on Hen Harrier Day 2016 and 2017, organized by BAWC at Rainham Marshes Nature Reserve and at the Birdfair festival 2017 - the "Birders’ Glastonbury", at Rutland Water Nature Reserve.
In August 2017 the project was awarded with another grant by Arts Council England; Zory completed her eleven-part nature-themed song cycle and organised a second “Look Up” lecture-concert series 2017/2018, featuring thought-provoking talks by prominent guest speakers from the wildlife conservation world: Dr Mark Avery, Dr Debbie Pain, David Lindo, Charlie Moores and young conservationist Findlay Wilde.
Peregrina EnChantica also developed a collaboration with Lush, through their common interest and passion for conservation; the ensemble was featured in an interview on Lush Radio and an article on making a difference through music; part of Zory's song-cycle was exclusively presented at Lush's Global Media Studio in Soho, in August 2018.
The third edition of the ensemble’s concert series was funded by PRS Foundation’s Women Make Music scheme. Peregrina EnChantica created further partnerships through several memorable performances: at the special anniversary event “Saving Land, Saving Species” by the World Land Trust at the Birdfair festival 2019, the “Now for Nature” conference by the youth conservation network, A Focus On Nature at the Natural History Museum in London, and RSPB’s Members' Day at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in Westminster.
The success of these concert series was immediately followed by an invitation for the ensemble to perform at a unique cultural festival in Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria in December 2019. Returning to their first type of repertoire, they presented contemporary arrangements for mixed choir of authentic Pre-Renaissance Byzantine chants. The mini tour was sponsored by the National Culture Fund of Bulgaria - the country’s official arts council.
Like most artists, Peregrina EnChantica had to adapt to the "new normal" throughout 2020. Unable to perform live, the ensemble got creative and started making videos; each vocalist individually recording and filming, part by part, at their homes or local parks. The British Birdwatching Fair went fully virtual and Zory put together an extended video showcase, reaching and growing new online audiences. This work set in motion a new ongoing project with a stronger online presence, further expanding the support of nature and wildlife conservation through music.
Our Name
Through the name of our ensemble we aim to symbolically represent the music's long history of "travelling through time and space", just as though on the wings of another true pilgrim, our inspiration, the Peregrine falcon. A favourite of the ancient Egyptians and Chinese earlier than 2000 BC, the Peregrine was of a denoted social status all through the Middle Ages. These falcons settle in one place and their young travel thousands of miles to raise a family in a territory of their own; and so the pattern continues through all continents.
Experimenting with derivatives of the Latin word Cantō and the Old French, Chantere, we've combined the roots of chant and enchanting, with our purpose of taking our audiences on a magical journey in song.
Newly hatched "Peregrina EnChantica"
Ancient Made New
Peregrina EnChantica brings together artists of different traditions and cultures in performing a variety of musical styles, coming from distant lands and times, offering both audiences and performers to explore this music of "nobility, dignity and a quality of elevation that is quite its own".
A thousand-year-old cultural phenomenon - the unique musical tradition of the Byzantine chants in their Bulgarian version: born at the dawn of Christianity, they carry their long history of "travelling through time and space" - from Jerusalem, Syria, Constantinople through to Rome, influencing the Western church music, together with the Cyrillic alphabet and the translations of the Bible (10th c.), travelling through to Kievan Rus' and later to Moscow. For centuries they have preserved their originality and during Pre-Rennaissance times (13-14th c.) have entwined elements of the magnificence of the Bulgarian folklore. These chants have laid the foundation and passed their spiritual richness on to the classical music forms, also being enriched themselves through the creation of a variety of classical musical interpretations.
Vocal ensemble Peregrina EnChantica has the honour of allowing this time-honoured music to continue travelling further, through performances of both authentic pieces and fully original contemporary works.
Projects
Virtual Birdfair UK 2020
Like most artists, Peregrina EnChantica had to adapt to the "new normal" throughout all of 2020. Unable to perform live, the ensemble got creative and started making videos, individually recording and filming part by part, by each member at their home or local park.
The British Birdwaching Fair went fully virtual, taking place between 18th and 23rd August 2020 and Zory Burner put together a 25 min video showcase, presenting Peregrina Enchantica's musical contribution to nature and wildlife conservation to new, online audiences.
Veliko Tarnovo Cultural Festival
Peregrina EnChantica's international mini-tour, part of their concert series 2019, featured performances at a unique cultural festival in Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria on 4-6 December. The ensemble presented contemporary arrangements for mixed choir by Zory Burner of authentic Pre-Renaissance Byzantine chants (14th c.) and their derivatives by classical composers of 18th -20th c., as well as Zory's original works from her nature-themed song-cycle.
Peregrina EnChantica's participation in this special event has been sponsored by the National Culture Fund of Bulgaria - the country’s official arts council.
Performances:
December 4, 2019 - Exhibition Halls "Rafael Mihaylov", Veliko Tarnovo
December 6, 2019, a festive concert at Music & Drama Theatre "Кonstantin Kisimov"
Concert Series 2019
Third edition of Peregrina EnChantica’s concert series, in collaboration with David Lindo, London Wildlife Trust, World Land Trust, British Birdwatching Fair, RSPB, BTO and other conservation organisations. Presenting Zory Burner’s original song-cycle, in support of nature & wildlife conservation. This project is funded by PRS Foundation’s Women Make Music scheme.
Performances:
August 10, 2019 - London Wildlife Festival, Walthamstow Wetlands, London (cancelled at the last minute due to extreme weather)
August 17, 2019 - Birdfair festival, “Saving Land, Saving Species” by the World Land Trust, Rutland Water Nature Reserve, Oakham.
September 6, 2019 - “Now for Nature” by the youth conservation network, A Focus On Nature, Natural History Museum, London.
October 26, 2019 - RSPB Members' Day, Queen Elizabeth II Centre, Westminster, London.
Peregrina EnChantica & LUSH
A progressive collaboration with Lush, through their mutual interest and passion for nature and wildlife conservation. Peregrina EnChantica was featured in an interview on Lush Radio and for an article on making a difference through music; part of Zory Burner's original song-cycle was exclusively presented at Lush Studio in London, hosted by Charlie Moors.
Performance:
August 23, 2018 – Global Media Studio, Soho, London
Look Up in Words & Music 2018
An evening of captivating and widely diverse world music and inspiring talks, in support of wildlife conservation, with a special focus on birds. Vocal ensemble Peregrina EnChantica presenting a second edition of their “Look Up” lecture-concert, performing Zory Burner’s original song-cycle, dedicated and inspired by nature. Featuring thought-provoking words by Dr Mark Avery, Charlie Moores and Dr Debbie Pain, as well as dedicated video messages by David Lindo (The Urban Birder) and young conservationist Findlay Wilde.
Performance:
May 3, 2018 – Canada Water Culture Space, London
Hen Harrier Day & BirdFair 2017
Vocal ensemble PeregrinaEnChantica serenading and inspiring birders and wildlife conservationist on Hen Harrier Day in London and at the annual British Birdwatching Fair - the "birder's Glastonbury", at Rutland Water Nature Reserve. The ensemble presented three musical sets, plus several dedicated performances at various exhibitor stands, including at The Urban Birder’s corner and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology stand.
Performances:
August 05, 2017 - Hen Harrier Day London, RSPB Rainham Marshes
August 18, 2017 - Bird Fair, Rutland Water Nature Reserve
Look Up 2017
Vocal ensemble PeregrinaEnChantica, as musical ambassadors of nature and wildlife conservation causes, presented the first edition of their “Look Up” concert series 2017, through Zory Burner’s original song-cycle, dedicated to the protection of nature & wildlife, with a special focus on birds.
“Look Up” lecture-concert, first edition, featuring special guest speakers: Dr Mark Avery, David Lindo (the Urban Birder) and Charlie Moores.
Performances:
January 20, 2017 - St Philip's Church, London
Forgotten Names & Hen Harrier Day 2016
An ongoing contribution to RSPB's Hen Harrier Life project, started off with the ensemble’s performance on Hen Harrier Day 2016, organised by BAWC at Rainham Marshes Nature Reserve, London. Featuring Peregrina EnChantica's second single, "Forgotten Names".
Peregrina EnChantica ensemble's Lyrical paean 'Forgotten names' - Poetry, music & love will outlast pole-traps, poison and crime.
- RSPB CEO Mike Clarke (via Twitter)
Forgotten Names - a special dedication to the endangered species of birds, written and arranged by Zory Burner.
Spring Concert Series 2016
Vocal ensemble Peregrina EnChantica welcomes you to an exclusive Spring concert Series of 2016, featuring a progression of authentic Pre-Renaissance Byzantine chants (14th c.), their derivatives by Russian classical composers of 18th -20th c., original arrangements for a mixed choir, modern variations and original works by Zory Burner.
Concerts:
January 27, 2016 - Gallery Sofia, BCI, London
March 3, 2016 - The halls of the Bulgarian Embassy, London
March 10, 2016 - Brandenburg Choral Festival, "The Actors Church", Covent Garden
March 17, 2016 - St Philip's Church, Earls Ct Rd, London
International Youth Festival of Arts "The Muses"
Vocal ensemble Peregrina EnChantica performed at the tenth edition of the International Youth Festival of Arts & contest, "The Muses" 2015, in Sozopol, at the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria.
Concerts:
July 13, 2015 - Summer Theatre "Apollonia"
July 14, 2015 - "Father Paissiy" Theatre Hall
July 15, 2015 - Gala concert at Summer Theatre "Apollonia"
Contest prizes awarded:
- first place in the category of best vocal ensemble
- certificate for best ensemble leader for artistic director Zory Burner
- special prize of the festival awarded by the sponsors
Sub Dio and Britain's National Bird Vote
An ongoing project, in contribution to Britain's National Bird Vote campaign, organised and lead by David Lindo, the Urban Birder. Featuring Peregrina EnChantica's first single, alongside its official music video, released in early 2015.
Performances:
March 3, 2015 - The halls of the Bulgarian Embassy, London
April 6, 2015 - Southbank Centre – Chorus 2015 festival
May 21, 2015 - Institution of Civil Engineers (Stephenson Room)
June 30, 2015 - Gallery Sofia, BCI, London
Sub Dio (Under The Open Sky) - a hymn of beauty and harmony in nature, written and arranged by Zory Burner.
A Journey on the Wings of Music
Three concerts of Zory Burner’s music, supported by the Arts Council England.
A project bringing high quality artistic events to three London areas, celebrating the Christmas season and presenting the music of the new dramatico-musical production, "Jesus Christ: the Challenge of Love". Performed by a specially formed chamber ensemble, uniting performers of classical, rock and various traditional instruments.
December 6, 2014 - St Matthew's Church, Croydon
December 12, 2014 - Loughton Methodist Church, Essex
December 13, 2014 - Harecourt United Reformed Church, Islington
Spring and Christmas Festivals 2014
Exclusive performances accompanying the "Spirit of Letters and Characters" exhibition at Gallery Sofia of the Bulgarian Cultural Institute, and concerts organised by the British-Bulgarian Society at the halls of the Bulgarian Embassy, London.
March 3, 2014 - Bulgarian Cultural Institute London
April 26, 2014 - Aprilitsa Spring festival
December 13, 2014 - A Christmas festival of music and dance
Contact
Get in touch / book the ensemble - peregrina@zoryburner.com