Grace Davidson

Davidson was born in Richmond, London and began her musical life playing the piano, violin, and viola. She started singing at the Youth Music Centre in Hampstead Garden Suburb, before studying singing at the Junior Guildhall School of Music and Drama with Mollie Petrie.{{cite web|title=Grace Davidson|url=http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Bio/Davidson-Grace.htm|access-date=7 April 2021|website=Bach Cantatas}}

While training for a year as a chef at Prue Leith's School of Food and Wine in 1998,{{Cite web|title=Grace Davidson (Soprano) - Short Biography|url=http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Bio/Davidson-Grace.htm|access-date=2021-04-19|website=www.bach-cantatas.com}} Davidson auditioned for London’s Royal Academy of Music and was awarded a scholarship to study there with Beatrice Unsworth and Jonathan Papp.{{Cite web|title=Grace Davidson {{!}} Biography & History|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/grace-davidson-mn0001529947/biography|access-date=2021-04-19|website=AllMusic|language=en}} While there she won the Early Music prize and was a finalist in the English Song Competition and the London Handel Singing Competition.{{Cite web|title=Grace Davidson {{!}} Alamire|url=https://www.alamire.co.uk/people/grace-davidson|access-date=2021-04-19|website=www.alamire.co.uk}} She graduated with a BMus degree in 2004, and was later awarded an Associate membership of the Academy in 2016.

Davidson began her professional career singing in choirs and consorts specialising in Early music. She has worked extensively with Harry Christophers and The Sixteen in recordings and concerts,{{Cite news|last=Brown|first=Geoff|title=Classical review: Joshua Bell: Bruch / Grace Davidson: Vivaldi/Handel|newspaper=The Times|language=en|url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/music/article/classical-review-joshua-bell-bruch-grace-davidson-vivaldi-handel-msxx0zsc9|access-date=2021-08-11|issn=0140-0460}} featuring as a soloist on their Monteverdi’s Vespers of 1610 and Handel’s Jeptha.{{Cite web|title=About {{!}} Grace Davidson, Soprano|url=https://gracedavidsonsoprano.com/about/|access-date=2021-04-19|website=Grace Davidson|language=en-GB}} She also appeared alongside The Sixteen in a BBC Two documentary with Simon Russell Beale called Monteverdi in Mantua – the Genius of the Vespers.{{Cite web|title=Monteverdi in Mantua - the Genius of the Vespers|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02kqxmc|access-date=2021-04-19|website=www.bbc.co.uk}}

Other groups she has sung with include Ex Cathedra, The Monteverdi Choir, The Gabrieli Consort, The Tallis Scholars, The English Concert, the Cambridge Singers, Tenebrae, London Voices, The Netherlands Bach Choir, Polyphony and Ensemble Plus Ultra.{{Cite web|title=Grace Davidson biography|url=https://www.last.fm/music/Grace+Davidson/+wiki|access-date=2021-04-19|website=Last.fm|language=en}}

Davidson currently appears as a soloist with Collegium Vocale Gent,{{Cite web|title=Grace Davidson {{!}} Alamire|url=http://www.alamire.co.uk/people/grace-davidson|access-date=2021-04-19|website=www.alamire.co.uk}} and on tour with Max Richter,{{Cite web|last=Kelly|first=Sharon|date=2021-03-12|title=Max Richter Announces South Facing Festival Date {{!}} uDiscover|url=https://www.udiscovermusic.com/classical-news/max-richter-south-facing-festival/|access-date=2021-04-19|website=uDiscover Music|language=en-US}} and regularly sings vocals on film soundtracks and commercial recordings in Abbey Road Studios and AIR Studios.{{Cite web|title=Grace Davidson|url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3581327/|access-date=2021-04-19|website=IMDb}} Her recordings for soundtracks have also led to singing in live concert performances of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit in Europe and the US.{{Cite web|date=2018-08-15|title=This Soprano Has Been In Your Favorite Movies, But You've Never Seen Her!|url=https://interlude.hk/silver-voice-silver-screen-interview-grace-davidson/|access-date=2021-04-19|website=Interlude|language=en-US}}

In 2015 Max Richter chose Davidson to be the singer on his epic venture, Sleep, a piece lasting eight hours that premiered live overnight on BBC Radio 3 from the Wellcome Collection on Euston Road, London on 17 September 2015.{{Cite web|title=Max Richter's Sleep|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06db5tv|access-date=2021-04-19|website=www.bbc.co.uk}} Davidson recorded her lullaby, heard at hourly intervals throughout the night, and vocal parts at AIR Studios and the recording was subsequently released on the Deutsche Grammophon label.{{Cite web|title=RICHTER Sleep (8h version)|url=https://www.deutschegrammophon.com/en/catalogue/products/richter-sleep-8h-version-6442|access-date=2021-04-19|website=www.deutschegrammophon.com|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Struggling To Soothe Your Nerves? These Songs Might Help|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/11/15/935214486/struggling-to-soothe-your-nerves-these-songs-might-help|access-date=2021-08-11|website=NPR.org|language=en}}

She has taken part in all 22 live performances of Sleep around the world.{{Cite web|title=Max Richter SLEEP|url=https://www.maxrichtermusic.com/albums/sleep/|access-date=2021-04-19|website=www.maxrichtermusic.com}}{{Cite news|last=Barone|first=Joshua|date=2018-05-07|title=On the Mattress for 'Sleep,' an 8-Hour Lullaby|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/07/arts/music/max-richter-sleep-new-york.html|access-date=2021-08-11|issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite web|date=2019-09-16|title=Composer Max Richter to perform for 8 HOURS STRAIGHT at the Great Wall of China|url=https://www.pianistmagazine.com/news/composer-max-richter-to-perform-for-8-hours-straight-at-the-great-wall/|access-date=2021-08-11|website=Pianist}} Sleep has been made into a film which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah, USA in January 2020, and also has its own app.{{Cite web|title=Max Richter Sleep App|url=https://www.maxrichtermusic.com/albums/sleep-app/|access-date=2021-04-19|website=www.maxrichtermusic.com}}{{Cite web|last=Brigden|first=Charlie|title=Max Richter's Sleep movie review (2021) {{!}} Roger Ebert|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/max-richters-sleep-movie-review-2021|access-date=2021-08-11|website=www.rogerebert.com/|language=en}}

Davidson is also a featured voice on Richter’s album Three Worlds: Music from Woolf Works on Deutsche Grammophon,{{Cite web|title=Max Richter Three Worlds: Music from Woolf Works|url=https://www.maxrichtermusic.com/albums/three-worlds-music-from-woolf-works/|access-date=2021-04-19|website=www.maxrichtermusic.com}} VOICES{{Cite web|title=Max Richter VOICES|url=https://www.maxrichtermusic.com/albums/voices/|access-date=2021-04-19|website=www.maxrichtermusic.com}}{{Cite web|title=Max Richter: Voices review|url=https://www.ft.com/content/a8cdeee2-501d-401e-bf3c-43c33e7b70aa|access-date=2021-07-20|website=www.ft.com}}{{Cite web|title=Watch English National Opera and Max Richter at South Facing Festival|url=https://www.classicfm.com/events/english-national-opera-eno-max-richter-south-facing-festival/|access-date=2021-07-20|website=Classic FM|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=The Quietus {{!}} Reviews {{!}} Max Richter|url=https://thequietus.com/articles/28742-max-richter-voices-review|access-date=2021-08-11|website=The Quietus|language=en-us}} and VOICES 2,{{Cite web|last=Kelly|first=Sharon|date=2021-02-17|title=Max Richter Announces New Album 'Voices 2' {{!}} uDiscover|url=https://www.udiscovermusic.com/classical-news/max-richter-voices-2/|access-date=2021-04-19|website=uDiscover Music|language=en-US}} both on the Decca label.

Since 2007, Davidson has worked in partnership with composer and saxophonist Christian Forshaw,{{Cite web|title=Soprano and saxophonist's rendition of 'Eternal Source of Light Divine' will tingle your spine|url=https://www.classicfm.com/composers/handel/handels-eternal-light-divine-saxophone/|access-date=2021-08-11|website=Classic FM|language=en}} as the soprano soloist for the albums Renouncement (2007), Midwinter (2008) and Songs of Solace (2012).{{Cite web|title=Discography {{!}} Grace Davidson, Soprano|url=https://gracedavidsonsoprano.com/discography/|access-date=2021-04-19|website=Grace Davidson|language=en-GB}} Their fourth album together Historical Fiction was recorded during the 2020 Covid-19 lockdown and was released on 17 September 2021.

In 2016, Davidson met composer Rodrigo Ruiz while recording some of his early songs for An Everlasting Dawn (2017), after which the soprano commissioned a new song cycle from him. When the work was finished in 2020, Venus and Adonis{{Cite web |title=Venus & Adonis, R. 10 |url=https://rodrigoruiz.com/opus-r10/ |access-date=2024-09-27 |website=Rodrigo Ruiz |language=en}} became the first song cycle known to be written by a Mexican composer, as well as the only known song cycle (in English or otherwise) set entirely to William Shakespeare's texts.{{Cite web |title=Venus & Adonis |url=https://www.universaledition.com/en/Works/Venus-Adonis/P0212638 |access-date=2024-04-18 |website=Universal Edition |language=en-GB}} This song cycle was recorded for Signum Classics and released on the eponymous album Venus & Adonis (2024),{{Cite web |title=Ruiz: Venus & Adonis |url=https://signumrecords.com/product/ruiz-venus-adonis/ |access-date=2024-09-27 |website=Signum Records |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Venus & Adonis |url=https://rodrigoruiz.com/venus-and-adonis/ |access-date=2024-09-27 |website=Rodrigo Ruiz |language=en}} celebrating Shakespeare's 460th anniversary year.

Other composers Davidson has worked with include:

• Eric Whitacre{{Cite web|title=Hurt – Recordings|url=https://ericwhitacre.com/recordings/hurt|access-date=2021-04-19|website=Eric Whitacre|language=en}}
• Michael Price{{Cite web|title=Songs for Eveline|url=http://www.michaelpricemusic.com/music/songs-for-eveline/|access-date=2021-04-19|website=Michael Price|language=en}}
• Howard Shore{{Cite web|title=Discography {{!}} Grace Davidson, Soprano|url=https://gracedavidsonsoprano.com/discography/|access-date=2021-04-19|website=Grace Davidson|language=en-GB}}
• Oliver Davis{{Citation|title=Seasons: Oliver Davis, Antonio Vivaldi - Grace Davidson, Kerenza Peacock, Ivor Setterfield, Trafalgar Sinfonia {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits {{!}} AllMusic|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/seasons-oliver-davis-antonio-vivaldi-mw0002879098|language=en|access-date=2021-04-19}}
• Harry Gregson Williams{{Cite web|title=Soundtracks {{!}} Grace Davidson, Soprano|url=https://gracedavidsonsoprano.com/soundtracks/|access-date=2021-04-19|website=Grace Davidson|language=en-GB}}
• Paul Mealor{{Cite web|title=Paul Mealor: A Tender Light|url=https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/8003669--paul-mealor-a-tender-light|access-date=2021-04-19|website=Presto Classical|language=en}}
• Patrick Hawes{{Cite web|title=Towards the Light|url=https://www.patrickhawes.com/product/towards-the-light/|access-date=2021-04-19|website=Patrick Hawes|language=en-GB}}
• [https://rodrigoruiz.com Rodrigo Ruiz]{{Cite web |title=Ruiz: Venus & Adonis |url=https://www.universaledition.com/en/Works/Venus-Adonis/P0212638 |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=Universal Edition |language=en-US}}
• Alec Roth{{Cite web|title=Alec Roth: A Time to Dance: & other choral works|url=https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/8079911--alec-roth-a-time-to-dance|access-date=2021-04-19|website=Presto Classical|language=en}}
• Francis Pott{{Cite web|date=2017-10-29|title=Francis Pott - In the Heart of Things|url=https://www.francispott.com/in-the-heart-of-things-2/|access-date=2021-04-19|website=Francis Pott|language=en}}
• John Rutter{{Cite web|title=This is the day Booklet|url=https://johnrutter.com/wp-content/uploads/booklets/This-is-the-day-booklet.pdf|access-date=2021-04-19}}

Davidson is married to Nigel Short, the founder and conductor of Tenebrae Choir.{{Cite web|title=Grace Davidson (Soprano) - Short Biography|url=https://www.bach-cantatas.com/Bio/Davidson-Grace.htm|access-date=2021-04-19|website=www.bach-cantatas.com}}{{Cite web|title=Tenebrae Choir|url=https://www.tenebrae-choir.com/|access-date=2021-04-19|website=Tenebrae Choir|language=en}} They live in Cambridgeshire with their two children.

“Even in this golden age of ‘early music’ sopranos, Grace Davidson is outstanding for her seraphic purity and evenness of tone.” – Richard Wigmore, Gramophone Magazine 2018{{Cite web|title=Review|url=https://www.gramophone.co.uk/reviews/review|access-date=2021-04-29|website=Gramophone|language=en}}

“Grace Davidson’s Galatea was marked by purity of voice and superb, faultless sense of pitch, perfectly paired with the woodwind pipings of ‘Hush, ye pretty warbling quire!’. In duet with the oboe ,in ‘As when the dove,’ Davidson’s lightness wove magic.” - Colin Clarke, [https://seenandheard-international.com/ Seen and Heard International]{{Cite web|title=The Sixteen Deliver Life-Enhancing Performance of Acis & Galatea – Seen and Heard International|url=https://seenandheard-international.com/2018/06/the-sixteen-deliver-life-enhancing-performance-of-acis-galatea/|access-date=2021-04-29|website=seenandheard-international.com}}

“Grace Davidson has a voice of great beauty and purity, along with an admirable technique which means that I have rarely heard passagework sung with such apparent ease and evenness.” – Robert Hugill{{Cite web|last=Hugill|first=Planet|title=Handel & Vivaldi from Grace Davidson and the Academy of Ancient Music|url=https://www.planethugill.com/2018/07/handel-vivaldi-from-grace-davidson-and.html|access-date=2021-04-29}}

“In my dreams, I hear Davidson’s soprano echoing through the chambers of my mind” – Gabriel Wilder, Sydney Morning Herald{{Cite web|last=Wilder|first=Gabriel|date=2016-06-04|title=Vivid Live review: Max Richter's eight-hour epic seduces at Opera House sleep over|url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/vivid-live-review-max-richters-eighthour-epic-seduces-at-opera-house-sleep-over-20160604-gpbikk.html|access-date=2021-04-29|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|language=en}}

“Taking a step somewhat in a different direction, SLEEP also sees Richter bring vocals into his work with mesmerising effect. Starring one of the world’s brightest rising stars in the form of British soprano Grace Davidson, ‘Path 5’ is ethereal in every sense of the word and arguably the best track on the album.” – Max Sanderson{{Cite web|title=Max Richter's latest, eight hour long album sends us to sleep, which is precisely the point|url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/reviews/albums/max-richter-sleep|access-date=2021-04-29|website=The Line of Best Fit|language=en}}

“The standout star here though is the magnificent soprano Grace Davidson who sings with gorgeous purity and warmth and hits some extraordinarily ethereal high notes.” – John Suchet’s Album of the Week, Classic FM{{Cite web|title=Patrick Hawes - Angel|url=https://www.classicfm.com/composers/hawes/album-reviews/angel-review/|access-date=2021-04-29|website=Classic FM|language=en}}

“Grace Davidson gave a beguiling account of the famous ‘Pie Jesu’. Her tone was warm and pure and her gently beseeching delivery was just right.” – John Quinn, Seen and Heard International, CBSO Performance{{Cite web|title=Birmingham's French Connection: Magnifique! – Seen and Heard International|url=https://seenandheard-international.com/2013/02/birminghams-french-connection-magnifique/|access-date=2021-04-29|website=seenandheard-international.com}}

“...absolutely gorgeous singing – object lessons in understatement and poise – from both Grace Davidson and William Gaunt. Devastatingly beautiful.” – Marc Rochester, Gramophone Magazine{{Cite web|title=Fauré's Requiem|url=https://www.gramophone.co.uk/features/article/faure-s-requiem|access-date=2021-04-29|website=Gramophone|language=en}}

“...Grace Davidson, who made Pie Jesu the simplest and most precious of gifts.” – Geoff Brown, The Times{{Cite news|last=Brown|first=Geoff|title=LSO/Tenebrae at St Paul's Cathedral, London EC4|newspaper=The Times|language=en|url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/classical-opera/article/lso-tenebrae-at-st-pauls-cathedral-london-ec4-csm369l97rq|access-date=2021-04-29|issn=0140-0460}}

"The voice is radiantly fresh and clean" - Geoff Brown, The Times{{Cite news|last=Brown|first=Geoff|title=Classical review: Joshua Bell: Bruch / Grace Davidson: Vivaldi/Handel|newspaper=The Times|language=en|url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/music/article/classical-review-joshua-bell-bruch-grace-davidson-vivaldi-handel-msxx0zsc9|access-date=2021-08-11|issn=0140-0460}}

"Soprano Grace Davidson sings high vocal melodies, a wordless note of striving. The tone is elegaic and dignified..." - Ludovic Hunter-Tilney, Financial Times{{Cite web |last=Hunter-Tilney |first=Ludovic |date=2020-07-31 |title=Max Richter: Voices — handsome but static |url=https://www.ft.com/content/a8cdeee2-501d-401e-bf3c-43c33e7b70aa |access-date=2021-07-20 |website=Financial Times}}

• Sacred Music (2008-2010){{Citation|title=Sacred Music|date=2008-03-21|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1625119/?ref_=nm_flmg_slf_2|type=Documentary|others=Simon Russell Beale, Harry Christophers, The Sixteen, Eamonn Dougan|publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), The Open University|access-date=2021-05-04}}
• David Starkey’s Music and Monarchy (2013){{Citation|title=David Starkey's Music and Monarchy (TV Series 2013– ) - IMDb|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3521212/|access-date=2021-05-04}}

• Kung Fu Panda (2008), vocalist/soprano{{Citation|last1=Osborne|first1=Mark|title=Kung Fu Panda|date=2008-06-05|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0441773/?ref_=nm_flmg_msdp_104|type=Animation, Action, Adventure, Comedy, Family|others=Jack Black, Ian McShane, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman|publisher=DreamWorks Animation, Dragon Warrior Media|access-date=2021-05-04|last2=Stevenson|first2=John}}
• How to Train Your Dragon (2010), vocalist/soprano{{Citation|last1=DeBlois|first1=Dean|title=How to Train Your Dragon|date=2010-03-18|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0892769/?ref_=nm_flmg_msdp_97|type=Animation, Action, Adventure, Family, Fantasy|others=Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Craig Ferguson|publisher=DreamWorks Animation, Mad Hatter Entertainment, Vertigo Entertainment|access-date=2021-05-04|last2=Sanders|first2=Chris}}
• Despicable Me (2010), vocalist/soprano{{Citation|last1=Coffin|first1=Pierre|title=Despicable Me|date=2010-07-08|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1323594/?ref_=nm_flmg_msdp_93|type=Animation, Comedy, Crime, Family, Fantasy|others=Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Russell Brand, Julie Andrews|publisher=Universal Pictures, Illumination Entertainment|access-date=2021-05-04|last2=Renaud|first2=Chris}}
• Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011), solo vocalist{{Citation|last=Marshall|first=Rob|title=Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides|date=2011-05-15|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1298650/?ref_=nm_flmg_msdp_89|type=Action, Adventure, Fantasy|others=Johnny Depp, Penélope Cruz, Ian McShane, Geoffrey Rush|publisher=Walt Disney Pictures, Jerry Bruckheimer Films, Moving Picture Company (MPC)|access-date=2021-05-04}}
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (2011), vocalist/soprano{{Citation|last=Yates|first=David|title=Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2|date=2011-07-12|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1201607/?ref_=nm_flmg_msdp_87|type=Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Mystery|others=Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Michael Gambon|publisher=Warner Bros., Heyday Films, Moving Picture Company (MPC)|access-date=2021-05-04}}
• The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013), singer{{Citation|last=Lawrence|first=Francis|title=The Hunger Games: Catching Fire|date=2013-11-15|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1951264/?ref_=nm_flmg_msdp_80|type=Action, Adventure, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller|others=Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Philip Seymour Hoffman|publisher=Color Force, Lionsgate|access-date=2021-05-04}}
• The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013), singer{{Citation|last=Lawrence|first=Francis|title=The Hunger Games: Catching Fire|date=2013-11-15|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1951264/?ref_=nm_flmg_msdp_80|type=Action, Adventure, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller|others=Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Philip Seymour Hoffman|publisher=Color Force, Lionsgate|access-date=2021-05-04}}
• Wonder Woman (2017), vocalist/soprano{{Citation|last=Jenkins|first=Patty|title=Wonder Woman|date=2017-05-30|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0451279/?ref_=nm_flmg_msdp_52|type=Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, War|others=Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Robin Wright, Lucy Davis|publisher=Warner Bros., Atlas Entertainment, Cruel & Unusual Films|access-date=2021-05-04}}
• Avengers: Endgame (2019), vocalist/soprano{{Citation|last1=Russo|first1=Anthony|title=Avengers: Endgame|date=2019-04-24|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4154796/?ref_=nm_flmg_msdp_39|type=Action, Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi|others=Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth|publisher=Marvel Studios, Walt Disney Pictures|access-date=2021-05-04|last2=Russo|first2=Joe}}
• Over the Moon (2020), soloist/soprano
• Gunpowder Milkshake (2021), soprano soloist
• The Last Duel (2021), vocalist/soprano
• Ron's Gone Wrong (2021), soprano vocalist

{{reflist}}

• [https://gracedavidsonsoprano.com/ www.gracedavidsonsoprano.com]
• {{IMDb name|3581327}}
• [https://www.schmopera.com/talking-with-singers-grace-davidson/ Interview with Schmopera]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Davidson, Grace}}

Category:English sopranos

Category:1977 births

Category:Living people

Category:Singers with The Tallis Scholars