Gustavus Choir Departs for Music Capitals of Europe Tour Posted on January 22nd, 2019 by Sara Cronk '22

The Gustavus Choir performs at Christmas in Christ Chapel 2018. PC: Nick Theisen

The Gustavus Choir under the direction of Dr. Gregory Aune embarks on an international tour January 24 to the great music capitals of Europe, including Vienna, Prague, Berlin, and Stockholm.

Students will experience historically and musically significant sites, perform in stunning cathedrals and churches, and witness the places where some of the most famous classical composers lived, worked, and died. Performance venues include Stephansdom (Vienna), Nikolaikirche (Leipzig), Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church (Berlin) and Hedvig Eleonora Church (Stockholm). There will also be visits to Bratislava, Dresden, and Wittenberg included in the itinerary.

The tour repertoire centers around the theme “How Can We Keep from Singing?” and includes several favorites that the Gustavus Choir has performed under Aune’s direction over the last 24 years. Aune will retire at the end of this academic year. As a special feature of this tour, an alumni choir will perform alongside the Gustavus Choir for several numbers on the program. This alumni choir is a subsection of a larger group of nearly 50 Gustavus alumni and friends accompanying the choir on tour.

In addition to an intensive rehearsal schedule during January Term, students have immersed themselves in a three-week course taught by Cantor of Christ Chapel and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Organ Chad Winterfeldt. The course included an exploration of compositional trends across several musically significant European cities, the intersection of social and cultural developments with music in those areas, and the great performance venues of Europe.

This tour is part of the Gustavus Choir’s extensive annual touring schedule throughout the continental United States with international opportunities every four years. In the past 25 years the Gustavus Choir has appeared at cathedrals, cultural centers, and conservatories in Russia, Estonia, Poland, the Czech Republic, Germany, Sweden, Finland, Portugal, Spain, Japan, China, South Africa, England, Wales, France, and Italy.

Throughout the tour check the Ensemble Touring Blog for updates on the choir’s adventures. Upon its return from Europe, the choir will perform a home concert at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 16 in Christ Chapel. This performance is free and open to the public and will also be livestreamed.

Gustavus Choir Music Capitals of Europe Tour

Saturday, January 26 | 8:30 p.m.
Stephansdom
Vienna, Austria

Monday, January 28 | 2 p.m.
St. Martin’s Cathedral
Bratislava, Slovakia

Tuesday, January 29 | 6 p.m.
Klementinum Mirror Chapel
Prague, Czech Republic

Thursday, January 31 | 7:30 p.m.
Nikolaikirche
Leipzig, Germany

Friday, February 1 | 12 p.m.
Thomaskirche
Leipzig, Germany

Sunday, February 3 | 5 p.m.
Evensong Church Service
Schlosskirche
Wittenberg, Germany

Monday, February 4 | 11:30 a.m.
Domkirche Berlin
Berlin, Germany

Monday, February 4 | 8 p.m.
Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church
Berlin, Germany

Wednesday, February 6 | 6 p.m.
Johannes Forsamling Church
Stockholm, Sweden

Thursday, February 7 | 7 p.m.
Hedvig Eleonora Church
Stockholm, Sweden

Saturday, February 16 | 7:30 p.m.
Home Concert
Christ Chapel, Gustavus Adolphus College