Tenebrae

About the production

Following their performance at the opening concert of the 2026 Lausitz Festival, featuring Bach’s Mass in B minor on 25 August in Görlitz, the Tenebrae Choir from England will travel on to Forst to perform at St Nikolai’s Town Church. There, Tenebrae, one of the world’s finest choirs, will give an a cappella concert under the direction of its founder, Nigel Short – an evening of choral music without instrumental accompaniment. To celebrate the choir’s 25th anniversary, the singers will present a thought-provoking programme featuring pieces spanning several centuries, from Orlando di Lasso to Caroline Shaw. The title »Celestial Gift« refers to the transcendent source from which we humans draw our music. It is a gift from heaven, for performers and listeners alike.     

Classics from the Tenebrae canon, such as Gregorio Allegri’s »Miserere« or Anton Bruckner’s »Christus factus est«, are juxtaposed with works by contemporary composers whose pieces they are equally keen to rehearse, such as James MacMillan, Caroline Shaw or Owain Park. The audience can look forward to a programme of sacred vocal music from the Renaissance to the present day, performed to the highest international standard.