British baritone, choral conductor, Grammy-nominated record producer, and former King's Singer Gabriel Crouch has been appointed as the new artistic director and principal conductor of Chamber Choir Ireland. We asked him the BIG questions . . .
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Gabriel’s career to date includes over 900 performances in almost every major concert venue in the world as well as numerous recordings on the BMG label.
Based in Dublin and touring both nationally and internationally, Chamber Choir Ireland is Ireland's national chamber choir and premier professional choral ensemble. Gabriel will take up the new role of artistic director and principal conductor in January 2026.
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I used to be a choirboy; I’m now a choir conductor and teacher; I have an eager (but ham-handed) trad fiddle habit.
How would you describe your music?
I write none of my own (the dedication and imagination required to compose is well beyond the range of my creative compass), but I’m strongly drawn to music that examines our relationships with each other, with our wider world, and whatever lies beyond it.
Who are your musical inspirations?
Those who convinced us to fall in love with really old music (Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Wanda Landowska, David Wulstan among others) and those who now convince us to fall in love with really new music (Gidon Kremer, Marin Alsop, Tõnu Kaljuste, Paul Hillier).
What was the first gig you ever went to?
I’m sure my first classical concerts all involved my mum (she’s a professional violinist) and/or my dad (a devoted servant to many choral societies). My first rock gigs were in 1991 - either Lenny Kravitz or PJ Harvey - I’m not sure which came first. My first proper Opera was definitely Die Walküre in Stuttgart when I was 22, during which I sobbed for several hours.
What was the first record you ever bought?
Cool for Cats by Squeeze. I saved up my pocket money and bought the single.
What’s your favourite song right now?
According to Spotify, my current top tracks are I am the Black Gold of the Sun by The Rotary Connection and The Hills of Coore by Brian Holleran and Brian Bigley, which I’ve been learning on the fiddle.
Favourite lyric of all time?
Joan Baez trying to deal with her complicated feelings for Bob Dylan and committing it all to paper with searing honesty: "Now you're telling me You're not nostalgic, Then give me another word for it, You who are so good with words, And at keeping things vague, 'Cause I need some of that vagueness now, It's all come back too clearly, Yes, I loved you dearly , And if you're offering me diamonds and rust , I've already paid".
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
If it really has to be a 'song’ then I would go for one of the big indie rock epics like I am the Resurrection by The Stone Roses) or Paranoid Android by Radiohead. But If I can take any piece of music, please can it be the Schubert C major String Quintet?
Where can people find your music/more information?
There are almost countless recordings, including many with The Kings Singers (I was a member for eight years) and Gallicantus (the early music ensemble I founded in 2008); but more importantly, at all the exciting concerts coming up with the magnificent singers of Chamber Choir Ireland!
Alan Corr
