Christopher J. Monckton

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For the journalist and peer, see Christopher Monckton, 3rd Viscount Monckton of Brenchley.

Harpsichord

Christopher John Monckton (born 23 March 1954 at Ipswich, England), is an orchestral and choral conductor, singer, and organ recitalist and accompanist of international repute.

The son of an eye surgeon, Monckton was educated at Gresham's School (where he learnt to play the organ), and Magdalen College, Oxford (where he held a choral scholarship, read English Literature and Language, and kept a harpsichord in his rooms). Graduating from Oxford in 1976 he attended a Law School in Guildford, Surrey. A further scholarship in literature and the fine arts took him to a cultural foundation at Vence in France. He became organist of the Basilica of Notre Dame de Nice, taught music at a choir school for boys in Grasse, and studied music at the Nice Conservatoire.

He has performed (as a solo singer, organist, and conductor) in almost every western and central European country. His recent performances in the British Isles include a song recital at St John's, Smith Square, and St Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin. He is based mainly in France.

Monckton also lectures around the world. In 2005, he formed a travel company, Thomas Martlet Ltd, to organize cultural tours to places of artistic, architectural and musical interest.

He should not be confused with Christopher Monckton, 3rd Viscount Monckton of Brenchley, a distant cousin.

[edit] Quotations

Gresham's

"In the interstices of my life as a perpetual student of the arts and a time traveller, I have led a parallel existence as a musician." - Christopher Monckton.