October 3 – 6, 2024 | Potsdam, Germany
Choral enthusiasts from around the world are coming together in Potsdam for the inaugural edition of CHORFEST POTSDAM. In collaboration with the Singakademie Potsdam, we present an impressive event featuring the grand performance of Giacomo Puccini’s MESSA DI GLORIA and Carl Orff’s CARMINA BURANA at the Nikolaisaal Potsdam as the main event. Explore a diverse program with choir concerts from various ensembles set against the picturesque backdrop of Potsdam.
Giacomo Puccini
Messa di Gloria
Giacomo Puccini’s Messa di Gloria was first performed in 1880. Musically, it combines traditional liturgical elements with operatic elements, which is reflected in dramatic melodies and lively choral movements. The musical style is characterized by a mixture of lyrical passages and powerful, often passionate expressions that have an emotional and uplifting effect on the listener.
Carl Orff
Carmina Burana
Carl Orff’s CARMINA BURANA is a captivating musical journey that stages the multifaceted world of medieval life and human emotions. This impressive choral work has fascinated singers worldwide for decades. Its distinctive rhythms and captivating melodies make the performance an unforgettable auditory delight that captivates listeners and transports them into a time of ancient tales and vibrant emotions.
Potsdam
UNESCO World Heritage
Potsdam is an ideal destination for an international choir festival. An enchanting tourist destination steeped in fascinating history, magnificent palaces, and expansive parks. Discover the UNESCO World Heritage sites, stroll through Sanssouci Park, or explore Sanssouci Palace and the New Palace. Potsdam offers a rich cultural diversity and an incomparable atmosphere.
Singakademie
Potsdam
The Singakademie Potsdam is a renowned center for choral music and cultural diversity. As a place of musical excellence and education, it has brought together enthusiastic singers for many years. Through its outstanding performances, workshops, and educational programs, the Singakademie enriches the cultural life of Potsdam and beyond.
Coro La Fenice & Accademia Vocale Romana
Rome
Both choirs are based in Rome and are currently directed by Maestro Lorenzo Macrì.
Since their foundation they have carried out an intense musical activity, performing concerts in numerous churches and halls throughout Italy, obtaining acclaim and recognition for the high artistic level of the executions. Their repertoire, of sacred and profane music, ranges from the Middle Ages to the twentieth century, and mainly includes great oratorios for choir and orchestra.
Given the strong artistic and musical affinity, while each maintaining their own identity intact, since 2022 they have embarked on a common path sharing musical choices and projects.
Lorenzo Macrì
Conductor (Messa di Gloria)
Lorenzo Macrì completed his piano studies at the “S. Cecilia” Conservatory in Rome and orchestral and choral conducting as well as choral composition at the “Licinio Refice” Conservatory. From 1999 to 2006 he was the first substitute organist of the Cappella Giulia in St. Peter’s Basilica. As musical director of the Roman Academy of Singing and the La Fenice choir, conductor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, director of the large choir of the Germanic School of Rome and the Labirynthus Vocum choir, he has led his choirs to performances in numerous churches in Rome and Italy. He works as a répétiteur with opera singers in Italy and abroad and alternates his intensive concert activities with teaching, master classes in piano interpretation and orchestra and choir conducting.
Nils Jensen
Principal Conductor (Carmina Burana)
Nils Jensen began his musical career alongside initial piano lessons as a choirboy in the Staats- und Domchor Berlin. His studies in choral and orchestral conducting led him to the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna. He received significant artistic impulses from William Spaulding and actively participated in international masterclasses. Nils Jensen works as a conductor and artistic director of various institutions and ensembles, holding the position of Artistic Director of the Singakademie Potsdam since July 2022. His first season in Potsdam was marked by sold-out houses and impressive choral experiences.
Schedule of the project
OCTOBER 3, 2024
10:00 – 13:00 Choir and Piano Rehearsal 1 “Carmina Burana”
15:00 – 18:00 Choir and Piano Rehearsal 1 „Messa di Gloria“
17:00 Rehearsal for the Potsdam event of “Deutschland singt und klingt“
19:00 Concert “Deutschland singt und klingt“
Organized by ChorWerk Potsdam and directed by Hans-Joachim Lustig
Alter Markt (in case of bad weather Nikolaikirche)
OCTOBER 4, 2024
10:00 – 13:00 Choir and Piano Rehearsal 2 “Carmina Burana”
15:00 – 18:00 Choir and Orchestra Rehearsal „Messa di Gloria“
OCTOBER 5, 2024
10:00 – 13:00 Final rehearsal
15:00 – 16:00 Placement and acoustic check
17:00 Concert at NIKOLAISAAL Potsdam
19:00 Get-Together
OCTOBER 6, 2024
Individual Programs: Singing in Potsdam Churches, Excursions, Museum…
Departure
Overview of costs
for performers and friends
The participation fee of the project is EUR 98.00.
Non-performing accompanying persons are offered a reduced participation fee of EUR 55.00 per person that includes access to all rehearsals and the concerts.
Register now
If you have any questions or comments, please don’t hesitate to contact us.