Chelys Consort of Viols
The haunting sound of gut strings has rarely been captured with such beguiling fidelity, nor the unique tonal proclivities of a viol consort so exquisitely voiced - The Strad
Described by Gramophone as having released 'unquestionably the most beautiful recording of the Lachrimae', Chelys have garnered a reputation for their faithful yet fresh interpretations of the consort repertoire. They take their name from an ancient Greek word which referred to a bowed lyre, said to have been invented by the god Hermes. The word was borrowed by the English violist Christopher Simpson on the title page of his treatise 'The Division Viol' when he translated the work into Latin. Perhaps this is what inspired their world premiere recording of Simpson's Airs for two trebles and two basses, a disc described as ‘wonderfully supple, propulsive and alive’ by the Guardian.
The members of Chelys are among the UK’s leading exponents of the viol, particularly as a consort instrument, and their consort viols are strung entirely in gut (not strings overwound with metal), which lends them a particularly distinctive sound. They frequently collaborate with other period instrumentalists and singers, especially enjoying repertoire for voices and viols. 2025 has seen them celebrating the 400th anniversary of Orlando Gibbons in style, with instrumental programmes, lots of outings with 'the great dooble bass', and vocal collaborations with the Gesualdo Six, Gwendolen Martin (soprano), David de Winter (tenor), David Bannister (organ) and the choir of St John's College Oxford.
The consort record for the BIS label, and their version of the complete fantasias and in nomines by Henry Purcell received a 5 star review in BBC Music Magazine, as well as The Strad praising its 'beguiling fidelity' and 'in-depth luxuriousness'. Their William Byrd anniversary disc with mezzo-soprano Helen Charlston was described as 'both beautiful and profound, measured and thoughtful' by Early Music Review. The consort are looking forward to the release of their latest disc Les Ages du Monde which is released digitally in December 2025 and physically in January 2026. Chelys also have an ongoing association with composer Jill Jarman, with a commissioned piece on their disc with Fieri Consort, and in an exciting project The Language of Bells, which they commissioned alongside percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie and with four singers.
The members of Chelys can be found in all sorts of places in the wider Early Music world: playing with ensembles such as Fretwork, Ensemble Moliere, the Rose Consort of Viols, the Linarol Consort; teaching on courses including for the Benslow Trust, NORVIS, the Irish Recorder and Viol Summer School, and the Easter Early Music Course; and coaching viol consorts at Morley College, the Royal College of Music and the Royal Academy of Music.
Chelys Consort explores the music’s expressive intimacy with a sensibility that touches our deepest thoughts and emotions
- BBC Music Magazine *****
The members of Chelys are among the UK’s leading exponents of the viol, particularly as a consort instrument, and their consort viols are strung entirely in gut (not strings overwound with metal), which lends them a particularly distinctive sound. They frequently collaborate with other period instrumentalists and singers, especially enjoying repertoire for voices and viols. 2025 has seen them celebrating the 400th anniversary of Orlando Gibbons in style, with instrumental programmes, lots of outings with 'the great dooble bass', and vocal collaborations with the Gesualdo Six, Gwendolen Martin (soprano), David de Winter (tenor), David Bannister (organ) and the choir of St John's College Oxford.
The consort record for the BIS label, and their version of the complete fantasias and in nomines by Henry Purcell received a 5 star review in BBC Music Magazine, as well as The Strad praising its 'beguiling fidelity' and 'in-depth luxuriousness'. Their William Byrd anniversary disc with mezzo-soprano Helen Charlston was described as 'both beautiful and profound, measured and thoughtful' by Early Music Review. The consort are looking forward to the release of their latest disc Les Ages du Monde which is released digitally in December 2025 and physically in January 2026. Chelys also have an ongoing association with composer Jill Jarman, with a commissioned piece on their disc with Fieri Consort, and in an exciting project The Language of Bells, which they commissioned alongside percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie and with four singers.
The members of Chelys can be found in all sorts of places in the wider Early Music world: playing with ensembles such as Fretwork, Ensemble Moliere, the Rose Consort of Viols, the Linarol Consort; teaching on courses including for the Benslow Trust, NORVIS, the Irish Recorder and Viol Summer School, and the Easter Early Music Course; and coaching viol consorts at Morley College, the Royal College of Music and the Royal Academy of Music.
Chelys Consort explores the music’s expressive intimacy with a sensibility that touches our deepest thoughts and emotions
- BBC Music Magazine *****
