Carmina Burana

"O Fortuna, velut luna..." - "O Fortuna, changeable like the moon...".

These words open and close the stage cantata Carmina Burana - one of the most famous musical works of the 20th century. Created by German composer Carl Orff on the basis of medieval poems and songs from a collection found in 1803 in the Bavarian abbey of Benediktbeuern, the cantata appears as a large-scale musical parable about the changeability of human fate, the power of passions, the beauty of youth and the eternal circle of life. The manuscript collection Carmina Burana, which is one of the largest collections of poetry by medieval wandering poets, students and representatives of the clergy, inspired the composer to create a work that includes 24 texts set to music.

For over nine decades, the stage cantata Carmina Burana has not left the world's stages, impressing listeners with the original energy of rhythm, monumentality of sound and unique dramaturgy. Its famous chorus "O Fortuna" has become one of the most recognizable musical symbols of our time, but the true greatness of the work is revealed in its integrity - from spring hymns to nature and youth to passionate scenes of love and reflections on the vagaries of fate.

In Kyiv, this monumental work will be performed by the National Chapel of Ukraine "DUMKA", the National Presidential Orchestra, as well as leading Ukrainian soloists. Over a hundred performers will unite on one stage to recreate a large-scale sound phenomenon in which medieval poetry meets the musical language of the 20th century.

Carmina Burana in Kyiv is more than a concert. It is a large-scale artistic event that allows you to feel the element of music in all its power: from the whisper of spring awakening to the triumphant voice of Fortune, under whose power each of us is.

Conductor – Volodymyr Sirenko

The work is performed in the original language.

About the performers:

The National Honored Academic Chapel of Ukraine "DUMKA" is a standard of choral performance and a legislator of the traditions of choral art in modern Ukraine. It has been leading Ukrainian choral collective since 1919, and for more than 100 years it has been the leading Ukrainian choral group, which laid the foundations of professional choral performance and a cappella (https://uk.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%90_%D0%BA%D0%B0%D0%BF%D0%B5%D0%BB%D0%B0) singing in Ukraine. Throughout its centuries-old history, the Chapel has represented Ukraine at a high world level in the international cultural and diplomatic artistic arena.

Laureate of the Taras Shevchenko National Prize of Ukraine, GRAMMY Award nominee

The National Presidential Orchestra is a unique military-musical ensemble of national significance, which is an integral element of the cultural and diplomatic symbolism of Ukraine. The group's activities include several areas: musical service for state events, development of traditions of Ukrainian musical culture, promotion of Ukrainian music and participation in various artistic projects, cooperation with leading Ukrainian and world performers. Due to the stylistic diversity of the repertoire, the concerts of the National Presidential Orchestra become bright artistic events.

Volodymyr Sirenko is a leading Ukrainian conductor, artistic director and chief conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine.

People's Artist of Ukraine, laureate of the Taras Shevchenko National Prize of Ukraine, GRAMMY Award nominee