CHOIRS - ANDREAS RICHTER – CULTURAL CONSULTING

Geaechinger Cantorey

Since its founding in 1981 by Helmuth Rilling, the Internationale Bachakademie Stuttgart has been dedicated to the music of Johann Sebastian Bach through benchmark-setting performances and vibrant educational initiatives. This mission also embraces the music of Bach’s contemporaries, as well as his predecessors and successors. With Bach at its core, the Bachakademie’s repertoire encompasses sacred vocal music, oratorios, and choral symphonic works from the 17th century to the present day.

Since 2013, the institution has been led by conductor Hans-Christoph Rademann, who in 2016 unified the former ensembles Gächinger Kantorei (choir) and Bach-Collegium Stuttgart (orchestra) into a newly restructured ensemble consisting of a reformed choir and a newly founded Baroque orchestra under the name Gaechinger Cantorey. In this ensemble, a Baroque orchestra and a carefully selected choir form a finely tuned original-sound ensemble. Under the direction of artistic director Hans-Christoph Rademann, the ensemble has made it its mission to promote an internationally recognized “Stuttgart Bach style.”

The Internationales Bachfest Stuttgart, a two-week festival, brings together young and seasoned artists from around the world who devote themselves to Bach and his era. Additionally, the Bachakademie maintains its own subscription concert series in Stuttgart and Ludwigsburg and is actively engaged in a busy concert schedule both nationally and internationally.

VIDEO

PRESS

“What Hans-Christoph Rademann, his Gaechinger Cantorey, and the carefully selected soloists reveal here in terms of vocal-instrumental balance, tonal refinement, and rhetorically informed artistry surely represents the pinnacle of historically informed performance today!”

concerti, 13 november 2023

“To the audience of 2023, it spoke directly from the heart.”

bachtrack, 16 july 2023

PROJECTS 2027/28 – A SELECTION

–Overview projects 2027/28 (PDF)

April 2028
ST. JOHN PASSION
Choir and Orchestra ot Gaechinger Cantorey / Hans-Christoph Rademann, conductor

The Gaechinger Cantorey, under the direction of Hans-Christoph Rademann, has set itself the goal of promoting a “Stuttgart Bach style” internationally. Among the many milestones achieved since its reestablishment in 2016, the St John Passion undoubtedly stands out—its emotional complexity is explored in remarkable depth and performed with great passion by both the ensemble and its conductor.

L. v. Beethoven: Missa solemnis op.123

Hans-Christoph Rademann © Holger Schneider

DOWNLOADS

–Gaechinger Cantorey and Hans-Christoph Rademann press photo 1

–Gaechinger Cantorey press photo 2

–Hans-Christoph Rademann press photo 1

–Hans-Christoph Rademann press photo 2

–Biography (PDF)

–Projects 2027/28 (PDF)

Collegium Vocale Gent

Collegium Vocale Gent, founded in 1970 by Philippe Herreweghe, revolutionized baroque vocal music by embracing new performance practices. Their emphasis on authenticity and textual clarity propelled them to international acclaim, gracing stages from Europe to Asia. Since 2017, the ensemble has hosted its own summer festival, Collegium Vocale Crete Senesi, in the picturesque setting of Tuscany, Italy.

With a diverse repertoire spanning centuries, Collegium Vocale Gent has evolved into a versatile ensemble, tailoring its forces to suit each project. From intimate renditions of Renaissance music to grand symphonic performances of Romantic and contemporary works, the ensemble’s adaptability knows no bounds. Their mastery of German Baroque, particularly J.S. Bach’s vocal compositions, remains unparalleled.

Collaborating with leading historical and symphony orchestras, Collegium Vocale Gent has established itself as a dynamic force in the classical music world. Under Herreweghe’s guidance, the ensemble has amassed a prolific discography, showcasing their artistry and innovation. Supported by the Flemish Community, the city of Ghent, and Belgium’s National Lottery, Collegium Vocale Gent continues to inspire audiences worldwide with its timeless interpretations and unwavering commitment to musical excellence.

VIDEO

PRESS

“Those marvellous voices.”

Tagesspiegel Berlin, 28 September 2024

“Rarely has virtuoso colouratura been heard with such naturalness and expressiveness as with the Collegium vocale from Ghent.”

Tagesspiegel Berlin, 16 September 2022

„There are ensembles and conductors who are indispensable to the performance history of a composer. In the case of the Collegium Vocale Gent conceived by Philippe Herreweghe, this is Johann Sebastian Bach, who has been elevated to the musical shield in a very small ensemble.“

bachtrack, 08 April 2022

SELECTION OF PROJECTS 2027/28

–Overview big projects 2027/28 (PDF)

–Overview Renaissance projects 2027/28 (PDF)

29 October – 7 November 2027
MISSA SOLEMNIS
Regula Mühlemann, soprano // Anna Lucia Richter, mezzo // Benjamin Hulett, tenor // Johannes Kammler, bass // Orchestra of the 18^th Century // Collegium Vocale Gent // Philippe Herreweghe, conductor

In the second half of 2027, two outstanding ensembles of the Baroque and Classical repertoire – the Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century and Collegium Vocale Gent – will devote themselves to this groundbreaking composition. With Philippe Herreweghe as conductor, the concert evening promises to be as exciting as it is moving.

L. v. Beethoven: Missa Solemnis in D major op. 123

December 2027
MESSIAH
Carolyn Sampson, soprano // Helen Charlston, mezzo soprano // Guy Cuttingh, tenor // Florian Störtz, bass // Finnish Baroque Orchestra // Benjamin Bayl, conductor

The premiere of Messiah brought Handel a triumph in Dublin during a difficult period, while audiences in London initially reacted with restraint — and proved remarkably mistaken in their judgment. Benjamin Bayl conducts the Finnish Baroque Orchestra (FiBO) and Collegium Vocale Gent in their first joint project.

G. F. Handel: The Messiah HWV 56

Finnish Baroque Orchestra (Credits: Juuso Westerlund)

Benjamin Bayl (Credits: Bart Barczyk)

Carolyn Sampson (Credits: Marco Borggreve)

Collegium Vocale Gent (Credits: Eric de Mildt)

DOWNLOADS

–Collegium Vocale Gent press picture 1

–Collegium Vocale Gent press picture 3

–Collegium Vocale Gent press picture 4

–Collegium Vocale Gent press picture 5

–Biography (PDF)

–Overview big projects 2027/28 (PDF)

–Overview Renaissance projects 2027/28 (PDF)

Vox Luminis

Vox Luminis was established almost 20 years ago; today, the ensemble uses its sparkling traits to enhance the world of early music! The push was made in 2004 by Lionel Meunier – bass and founding base of Vox Luminis. The objective is to gain access to the Light through the Voice. Every year, the ensemble releases on average two discs and offers its audience more than 60 concerts on Belgian, European and international stages.

They define themselves as a group of soloists with a variable combination (with a base from the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague) and of a continuo, additional instrumentalists or a full orchestra, depending on the repertoire. The repertoire is essentially Italian, English and German and spans the 16th through the 18th centuries. Since its creation, the ensemble has been noted for its cohesion and it charms with the personality of every timbre and the homogeneity of the voices.

The year 2018 was marked by two awards: first, Vox Luminis won the famous BBC Music Magazine AWARD 2018 in the category “Choral Award Winner” for their recording Ein Feste Burg Ist Unser Gott, following the disc Luther et la Musique de la Réforme. Second, KLARA named them “Ensemble of the Year”.

Today, Lionel Meunier has established himself as the internationally well-known conductor and artistic director of the Vox Luminis ensemble, which he created in 2004.

The ensemble is supported by the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, the City of Namur and Namur Confluent Culture and the Art and Life Tours (a funding program for concerts in Wallonia).

VIDEO

PRESS

„Individual voices had the clarity and color to pick them out of the ensemble while the blend among them was finely balanced. The thoughtfulness and musicality were most impressive.“

New York Classical Review, 28 October 2024

„… and the result is another deeply musical triumph.“

The Guardian, 30 June 2019

“Director Lionel Meunier is the real star, with a soaring vision of Purcell’s music in a class of its own.”

BBC Music Magazine

SELECTION OF PROJECTS 2026/27

Projects and programs on request

Dates upon request
SACRO MONTEVERDI
Vox Luminis / Lionel Meunier, bass & musical leader

Selva Morale e Spirituale (moral and spiritual forest) is the artistic testament of Claudio Monteverdi, who entered holy orders after the loss of his wife and then his son. An ode to vocal music, performed by one of the finest vocal ensembles of our time.

C. Monteverdi: Excerpts from Selva morale e spirituale, SV 252-288

DOWNLOADS

–Vox Luminis press photo 1

–Vox Luminis press photo 2

–Vox Luminis press photo 3

–Vox Luminis XL press photo 4

–Vox Luminis press photo 5

–Biography (PDF)

PAST CONCERTS – A SELECTION

9 December 2025, Elbphilharmonie Hamburg / 13 December 2025, Konzerthaus Dortmund
MAGNIFICAT
Vox Luminis / Lionel Meunier, bass & artistic direction

The Magnificat of the pregnant Mary, praising God who sides with the poor and dethrones the mighty, carries a striking relevance in times of economic and social hardship. In December 2026, this resonance was to life by Vox Luminis under the direction of Lionel Meunier.

G. P. Telemann: Uns ist ein Kind geboren – cantata TWV 1:1451 / J. S. Bach: Christen, ätzet diesen Tag BWV 63 / J. S. Bach: Magnificat in D major BWV 243

„Vox Luminis, under Lionel Meunier, stepped confidently into this terrain with good humour and radiant musicality.“

bachtrack, 10 December 2025

21 July 2024, Salzburger Festspiele
SPEM IN ALIUM
Vox Luminis / Lionel Meunier, bass & musical direction

Thomas Tallis’s monumental 40-voice work Spem in alium was inspired by Alessandro Striggio’s example. Tallis conceived his music to be heard “in the round,” meaning that the listener sat within the circle of performers. Vox Luminis could be experienced at the Salzburg Festival in X-large format!

Works by T. Tallis, J. Sheppard & A. Striggio

“An overwhelming experience.”

BR Klassik, 23 July 2024

“This is a festival!”

drehpunkkultur.at 22 July 2024

“That evening, a performance succeeded in bringing the full richness and artistic beauty of the St Matthew Passion into full bloom.”

Salzburger Nachrichten 22 July 2024

5 April 2023, Elbphilharmonie Hamburg / 6 April 2023, Konzerthaus Dortmund
ST. MATTHEW PASSION
Freiburger Barockorchester / Vox Luminis / Lionel Meunier, bass & musical direction

Bach’s exuberant panorama of dramatic textual interpretation and countless musical ideas presents the Passion of Jesus Christ in an artistic form that remains unmatched to this day.

J. S. Bach: Matthäus-Passion BWV 244

“That evening, a performance succeeded in bringing the full richness and artistic beauty of the St Matthew Passion into full bloom.“

bachtrack, 28 March 2023