"the top-notch chamber ensemble CHROMA" The Guardian

Founded in 1997, CHROMA is a dynamic, critically acclaimed chamber ensemble featuring some of Britain's most outstanding musicians, known for the passion it brings to contemporary works, its vivid renderings of classic pieces and its diverse participation/learning activity.

Following its debut at the Purcell Room CHROMA has become most closely associated with the performance of contemporary music and has forged close links with many prominent British composers through many premières and collaborations.

Recent premieres:
Recent world premières include CHROMA commissions from Julian Grant - Strike Opponent’s Ears With Both Fists, Arlene Sierra - Surrounded Ground, David Bruce Saudades, Dominic Shovelton El Ingles and Philip Cashian Aquila. Premieres written for CHROMA in last year include Mark Bowden The Root of The Wind, Andrew Hamilton Product #2 and Charlie Piper Bordello (commissioned by C3/Kettle’s Yard), Mark Bowden the radiant dark (RHUL), Mark Yeats schlink's approximation (Manchester Pride). Recent EU premieres include David Bruce’s Piosenki and Gumboots, and Out of the Cradle Endlessly Rocking by Per Nørgård.

Opera collaborations:
With Tête à Tête, for whom CHROMA is Associate Ensemble, premières include Julian Grant’s “knitting opera” Odysseus Unwound, the six opera shorts Blind Date and The Cumnor Affair, composer Philip Cashian, libretto Iain Pears, and many works in development through Tête à Tête: The Opera Festival. Other opera collaborations include Iford Festival and Co-Opera Co.

This year:
New works in 2011 include ROH2 OperaShots at the Linbury - Stewart Copeland/Anne Dudley double bill; a commission from Marcus Barcham-Stevens – in a programme with EU premiere of David Bruce’s The North Wind Was A Woman; Tête à Tête's new opera Circus Tricks - music by Mike Henry, words by Adey Grummet; pieces by composers at the Royal Academy of Music, Guildhall School of Music & Drama, Royal Holloway University of London and Birmingham Conservatoire; clarinet/viola/accordion/electronica pieces by Erick Flores, Jessica Aslan, Jan Hendrickse, Hugo Morales, Philip Dawson and Joseph Davies for premiere at Soundwaves Festival, Brighton in July and Opera East's Heart of Darkness at ROH2 music Tarik O'Regan, words Tom Phillips.

CHROMA has an active participation and learning programme, including collaborations with Kings Place and Tête à Tête, primary school programmes in Norwich and Wiltshire, and is resident at Cardiff University and Royal Holloway University of London.