Margaret Rizza sang professionally for twenty-five years, before teaching at London’s Guildhall School of Music and Drama. She has directed music groups, making many recordings. She began composing in 1997 and has since earned huge admiration for her ‘Classical Contemporary’ sound world, works of spiritual contemplation and great beauty. Hers is music of great spiritual depth and, whether a cappella or for vocal and instrumental forces, it generates a sense of lyricism and healing resolution. None of the works on this disc have been recorded before.

The Gaudete Ensemble was formed and directed by Margaret Rizza as a small parish choir for St Thomasʼ Church in Sevenoaks. As it developed it went on to do many concerts and recordings. For this present recording, the ensemble is made up of fully professional singers and instrumentalists directed by Eamonn Dougan, who pursues a busy schedule working as both singer and conductor. He is the first Associate Conductor of the world renowned vocal ensemble The Sixteen and has directed the ensemble to considerable acclaim at concert halls and festivals across England and Europe.