Opening concert of Musica Sacra International featuring the Girls’ Choir of the Sing-Akademie zu Berlin
The Musica Sacra International festival, taking place over the Whitsun period from 22 to 26 May 2026 in Marktoberdorf, Augsburg, Munich and throughout the Allgäu region, presents a diverse range of music from various religions and other cultural traditions. Through music, this festival of encounters aims to make an important contribution – particularly in today’s world – to getting to know and understanding other cultures and religions. Audiences will experience extraordinary musical performances, diversity, community and tolerance. The motto of the upcoming festival is ‘Resonances of the Sacred’. Eight ensembles and choirs from various countries and regions around the world have been invited.
The Musica Sacra International 2026 festival will kick off with an opening concert by the Girls’ Choir of the Sing-Akademie zu Berlin on 9 May 2026 at 7 pm in the church at the Schulbrüder College in Illertissen. The Girls’ Choir of the Sing-Akademie zu Berlin, conducted by Friederike Stahmer, will present the interfaith concert project ΔΙΑΛΟΓΟΣ – DIALOGOS. Around 45 singers aged between 13 and 20, together with a harpist, an oud player and a tabla player,
will present an impressive programme that builds musical bridges between cultures and religious traditions. At the heart of the programme are encounters between Jewish, Christian, Muslim and Hindu soundscapes.
At the heart of the programme are encounters between Jewish, Christian, Muslim and Hindu soundscapes. Works by Mendelssohn-Bartholdy and Louis Lewandowski enter into dialogue with Arabic and Sephardic songs, spirituals and hymns from the Rigveda set to music by Gustav Holst. Several works have been specially rearranged for unison choir; in addition, commissioned compositions will be performed, weaving together religious texts from various traditions and translating them into a contemporary musical language. ΔΙΑΛΟΓΟΣ - DIALOGOS sees itself as an artistic contribution to intercultural and interfaith dialogue.
Tickets for the opening concert in Illertissen are available in advance online at www.musica-sacrainternational.