The festival Musica Divina showcases the wealth and diversity of early sacral music in fascinating, often surprising interpretations. The organisers also break down barriers between the Western and Orthodox Catholic Churches, and between traditional and “academic” music. This ecumenical spirit also touches the audiences: the concerts are a communal form of meditation, while the community built by Musica Divina responds through the participation and financial support.
Since last year, the programme has been exploring liturgical traditions through music which once accompanied them, and which today comprises standalone aesthetic, intellectual and spiritual values.
In 2023, the festival focuses on Vespers, in particular those linked with places of important religious cults or with musical arrangements for particularly significant times of the liturgical year.
MAIN PROGRAMME
3 August 2023 | 8:30pm | Corpus Christi Basilica
Capella Sanctæ Crucis
Viva Agostino!
Reconstruction of the Vespers for St Augustin from Santa Cruz Monastery in Coimbra, Portugal
***
4 August 2023 | 8:30pm | Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Anna-Liisa Eller
Sounds from heaven
Works by H.I.F. von Biber, W.A. Mozart, G.P. da Palestrina, J.P. Rameau, D. Kellner, among the others played on kannel, traditional Estonian instrument
***
5 August 2023 | 8:30pm | Dominican Basilica
Byzantion
Great Vespers for the Dormition of the Virgin Mary
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6 August 2023 | 8:30pm | Corpus Christi Basilica
Trio Mediæval & Catalina Vicens
Old Hall Vespers
Works from the Old Hall Manuscript, the biggest collection of late Mediaeval English music dating from the early 15th century, devoted to the St Torlak, the patron saint of Iceland
***
23 September 2023 | 8:30pm | Dominican Basilica
Ensemble Organum & Schola Cantorum Minorum Chosoviensis
Codex Callixtinus – Ad Primas Vesperas Sancti Jacobi
Works from the 12-th century Libes Sancti Jacobi
ACCOMPANYING EVENTS
2 August | 6:30pm | Dominican Basilica
Vespers with the San Clemente Vocal Brotherhood
***
5 August | noon | Dominican Basilica
Holy Mass (with short announcement about the Byzantion choir concert after the mass)
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3 August – 23 September
In Hiding – exhibition of works by Aleksandra Samołyk
(Partly presented before the concert, the complete exhibition to be viewed at the seat of the inCanto Foundation, Sikorskiego Square 3/4)
***
23 August | 5pm | Dominican Basilica
Holy Mass (with participation of Ensemble Organum and Schola Cantorum Minorum Chosoviensis)
