Rebecca is a graduate of the Royal Academy of Music, where she studied singing and piano. During her time at the RAM, she received many prizes, including the Lloyds Bank Scholarship for postgraduate study, which enabled her to complete her studies on the Opera Course.
REBECCA LODGE BIRKEBAEK
Her career over the last 25 years as soloist, former member of the BBC Singers (the United Kingdom’s only full- time, professional chamber choir), former staff member of the Chorus of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, choral conductor, educator and workshop leader has given her a wealth of experience. Equally at home performing on stage, in the recording studio or broadcasting on television and radio she brings energy, fun and commitment to all her projects.
Rebecca has a great passion for music education, encouraging and inspiring people of all ages and abilities to improve their singing through choral workshops, leading sessions for the BBC Performing Groups, the Royal Opera House, the Kings’ Singers, and Berkshire Maestros amongst many others. As conductor of several choirs, including the Intermediate Choir of the Finchley Children’s Music Group, Rebecca is delighted to be on the staff of Choritalia.
CRISPIN LEWIS
Crispin Lewis (co-founder and artistic director). After studying early music as a post-graduate at the Royal College of Music, Crispin went on to direct his own vocal ensembles at major venues including Wigmore Hall, the Royal Opera House Linbury Theatre, South Bank Centre, Kings Place, St John’s Smith Square, and in many live broadcasts on BBC Radio Three. He has performed repertoire encompassing all the major choral works, ranging from the medieval to newly commissioned works. Crispin is also a professional singer, appearing as soloist in opera and oratorio. He conducts several choirs in the UK, where he lives in London.
Crispin Lewis is the musical director of Choritalia. He founded Choritalia in partnership with Antonella Petrone in order to combine his passion for singing and choral music with his love of Italy: its culture, landscapes, food and history. Born in London, Crispin has a wide experience of directing choirs of all levels.
ANTONELLA PETRONE
Antonella Petrone, the co-founder of Choritalia, is an Italian events manager who has lived in the UK for six years, and was born and lived in Italy for 25 years. She combines her experience of Italian culture with knowledge of the British lifestyle to create the perfect holiday experience for guests. Through her experience of organising special events, especially weddings and honeymoon holidays with her own events company ‘Italy Destination Weddings’, she takes huge satisfaction from creating the perfect holiday for all lovers of Italy and of music.