Ensemble Altera
A chamber choir described by the BBC as "something extraordinary", ENSEMBLE ALTERA in its short history has already been identified as "a leading ensemble on the American choral scene" (Scherzo Magazine). Led by internationally celebrated countertenor Christopher Lowrey, the group has quickly become known for thoughtful programming, passionate performances, and tireless advocacy for the importance of ensemble singing in the broader music culture. BBC Music Magazine called Ensemble Altera's debut album, The Lamb's Journey, "clean as a whistle and confident". Europadisc proclaimed the performances "wonderfully refined and expertly blended, with that combination of radiance, power and transparency that comes with the best chamber choirs". In the words of the Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik (German Record Critics’ Award), which awarded the disc its coveted prize, "no recent recording debut in this field has been as spectacular."

Recent programs include Feminine Voices (to be released on Alpha Classics in 2026), weaving together music for upper voices and harp by women composers across the ages with Benjamin Britten's timeless Ceremony of Carols, A New Song: Psalms for the Soul, an exploration of the Biblical Psalm texts in all their dizzying variety, and A Christmas Present, a sumptuous collection of seasonal music written in the new millennium. Ensemble Altera is now beginning to undertake tours throughout the USA, including repeat visits to Carnegie Hall, and expands this work over the coming season. Upcoming projects include The Four Elements, a contemplation of the awesome beauty and terrifying power of the natural world through the prism of the sky, earth, fire, and water. Additionally, Altera teams up with celebrated conductor Raphaël Pichon, and the Orchestra of St. Luke's in a program entitled Mein Traum, starring soprano Ying Fang and baritone Christian Gerhaher. Later in 2025, the group offers new performances of its acclaimed chamber version of Handel's Messiah in its native home of Rhode Island. Deeply committed to championing new works and lifting up new voices from around the globe, over the past few seasons Altera has premiered works by Ian Gabriel Corpuz, Motshwane Pege, Toby Young, Joanna Marsh, Daniel Gledhill, Zuzanna Koziej, and Michael Garrepy, and is currently collaborating with young composer Piers Connor Kennedy in a major work, Declarations​, to mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026.

In addition to performing, Ensemble Altera undertakes an extensive education and outreach program. Such activities include clinics and interactive presentations with school students in a variety of settings, with a particular focus on opening musical horizons to those from underserved backgrounds. Additionally, Altera has a profound faith in the healing power of music both in and out of the concert hall, and is proud to offer its complete recorded music library free of charge in collaboration with select partners in music therapy.

Christopher Lowrey
was born and raised in Johnston, RI, and trained at Brown University, the University of Cambridge, where he sang under Stephen Layton with Trinity College Choir, and the Royal College of Music. In addition to conducting, he enjoys a dynamic international solo career as a countertenor, working at some of the world’s leading opera houses and concert platforms, including the Metropolitan Opera, Royal Opera House, the Philharmonie de Paris, The London Symphony Orchestra, and this season he will be making his debuts with Theater an der Wien, The National Symphony Orchestra, Opera Australia, and The Grange Festival in the UK.