About The Choir
Gloriæ Dei Cantores has received extensive critical acclaim for its artistic elegance, performance authenticity, and compelling spirituality. Sharing its vision of inspiration and hope for over 30 years, Gloriæ Dei Cantores has toured extensively, touching the hearts of audiences in 24 countries in Europe, Asia, and North America. The choir has appeared on the concert stage and in recordings with Keith Lockhart, John Williams, Samuel Adler, Mark O’Connor, Stephen Cleobury, Vladimir Minin, and the late George Guest, Mary Berry, and Margaret Hillis, among others. Highlights of the choir’s career include three invitational tours of Russia, the opening of the 900th anniversary of St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice, live broadcasts with the BBC, the soundtrack of Lorenzo’s Oil, and performances in some of the finest concert halls throughout Europe. Its discography of over 50 recordings is distributed in the United States through Paraclete Press, Inc., and Naxos of America, Inc. The choir makes its’ home in Orleans, MA.
About the Director
Richard K. Pugsley is Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of Gloriæ Dei Cantores. Known for his depth of interpretation, musical sensitivity, and impassioned directing, Pugsley is equally adept conducting intimate, a capella works as he is leading oratorio.
Under the guidance of Maestro Pugsley, Gloriæ Dei Cantores has become a deeply interpretive and vibrant choral ensemble. The choir has received international acclaim for its “lovely, pure, and radiant” sound (Gramophone), “seamless ensemble” (Los Angeles Times), with performances that are “beautifully finished but richly emotional” (Boston Globe).
About the Director Emeritus
Under the inspired leadership of Elizabeth C. Patterson, Gloriæ Dei Cantores has achieved its present status as a world-class choir internationally recognized for its exceptional artistry and compelling spirituality. Known for her interpretive vision and her commitment to performance authenticity, Ms. Patterson is considered one of America’s finest choral conductors.
As the founding director in 1988, Elizabeth Patterson transformed Gloriæ Dei Cantores from a small church choir to a world-class concert choir. She established an aggressive program of study for the choir including three extended study tours in England with choral masters George Guest of St. John’s College, Cambridge, and Dr. Stephen Cleobury of King’s College, Cambridge. She has garnered respect from colleagues around the world, including Margaret Hillis, Keith Lockhart, Craig Timberlake, Dorothy Richardson, and Gerre Hancock.
The Choir’s Impact
“Beautifully finished but richly emotional” —BOSTON GLOBE
“Beautiful, affecting music” —CHICAGO TRIBUNE
“A world-class concert choir” —WASHINGTON POST
“They sing with absolute fluency and authority.” —GRAMOPHONE
