Calgary Renaissance Singers & Players (CRSP) has been a proud part of this city’s musical landscape for the last 49 years. Founded by Dr. A. G. Petti in 1970, the choir specializes in performing Renaissance music and music that celebrates the spirit of the Renaissance.

CRSP has given Canadian-premiere performances of seminal Renaissance sacred works, such as the Monteverdi Vespers of 1610 (under Dr. Petti’s direction in 1977). The singers thrive on new creative opportunities: from commissioning and performing new choral works to using the local planetarium as a concert venue; from acting to playing instruments; and from collaborating with harpsichordists and recorder players to jamming with jazz saxophonists. The ensemble’s growing community of early-music instrumentalists make regular appearances in CRSP concerts.

As the ensemble builds towards its fiftieth-anniversary season (2019-2020), CRSP has undertaken some big projects, as befit a mature arts organization. In June 2018, CRSP co-produced “A Celebration of Jewish Choral Music” with Beth Tzedec Conservative Congregation. The concert featured CRSP in performance with Spiritus Chamber Choir and, in its first-ever Canadian appearance, Los Angeles Zimriyah Chorale.

In the current season, CRSP is launching a third regular-season concert designed to feature professional early-music performers. This year’s featured ensemble will be Calgary’s String Theory Music Collective, on Sunday February 24. And next season, as part of the fiftieth-anniversary celebrations, CRSP will be proud to premiere a commissioned work from past CRSP Artistic Director Peter Togni. The ensemble’s current Artistic Director is Jane Perry. www.renaissance-singers.com