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Boyer’s work celebrating the Coronation of King Charles III premieres in London

By May 8, 2023July 10th, 2025News

Peter Boyer’s new work Today We Ask, commissioned in celebration of the coronation of King Charles III, was premiered by the ORA Singers, conducted by their founder and Artistic Director Suzi Digby OBE, as part of a Coronation Celebration at St. Paul’s Church, Covent Garden, London on May 3, 2023, three days prior to the official ceremony. The singers were joined by brass quintet and timpani for the premiere of Boyer’s work.

Along with Boyer’s new work, the ORA Singers Coronation Celebration included music from previous Royal functions from throughout the last four centuries, and was broadcast internationally on Classic FM. Also in attendance were three of the UK’s most renowned living composers, John Rutter, Judith Weir, and Paul Mealor, and actor Simon Callow CBE, who performed readings from earlier coronations.

In advance of the premiere, Boyer wrote: “As an American composer, it was a most unexpected honor to be commissioned for a new work to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III. I have longstanding great admiration for the British choral tradition, and the ORA Singers are superb performers, representing that tradition at the highest level. I am grateful to them and Suzi Digby for offering me the remarkable opportunity which this commission represents. It was a pleasure to set the poignant words of Welsh poet Grahame Davies, which he wrote specially for this purpose. With these wonderful singers joined by brass quintet and timpani, and the festive atmosphere of which they are capable, it is my hope that my music might make a modest contribution to this celebratory and historic occasion.”

Suzi Digby stated: “What an honour and thrill it has been to commission Peter’s Today We Ask for ORA Singers. His score has exceeded my ambitious vision for this historic work to mark the coronation of King Charles III. It is breathtaking. At once uplifting, majestic and thoughtful. And exquisitely crafted.” Boyer’s commission was supported by Michael Straus.

BMI published an article congratulating Boyer on this prestigious commission. The complete program book from this concert may be found here. Photos by Benjamin Ealovega.