Carmina Burana by Carl Orff

An intimate explosion of fate, passion and medieval poetry comes to life in a choral performance of Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana at the historic Jacobikerk in Utrecht, a monumental medieval church whose soaring Gothic interior and centuries-old architecture create a striking setting for this powerful work.

This special performance offers a rare and intimate interpretation of one of the most iconic works of the 20th century, brought to life by acclaimed British conductor and composer Peter Allwood, whose distinguished career spans choral, orchestral and operatic music. A daring, visceral cantata based on 13th-century texts, part pagan, part sacred, part scandalous, Carmina Burana speaks to the eternal cycles of luck, lust, love and loss.

Composed in 1935–36 and based on 24 poems from the medieval Codex Buranus, Orff’s explosive choral writing transformed these ancient verses into one of the most recognisable works of the 20th century, opening with the thunderous O Fortuna, a hymn to the cruelty and unpredictability of fate.

Newly adapted from original manuscripts and arranged for an intimate chamber setting with choir, the programme offers a bold and emotionally charged experience that reveals the inner intensity of Orff’s vision.

The concert is organised by the creative agency RED EVENTS & Distribution Ltd., known for producing exceptional cultural experiences in historic mansions, on rooftops, in greenhouses, and in some of the most atmospheric venues across Europe, the United Kingdom, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and beyond. Their repertoire also includes a distinctive collection of candlelit concerts and fully immersive performances combining video art and sound.