45 years of Virgo's musical journey | Missa Popularis for the first time in Vilnius

The Vilnius University Women's Choir "Virgo" invites you to a solemn anniversary concert, where "Missa Popularis" will be performed for the first time in Vilnius, at St. John's Church! 

This autumn, we are celebrating 45 years of creative activity, and we will mark the occasion with a special concert: "I chose Missa Popularis because it is a work composed specifically for a girls' choir (a version for mixed choir was created later), popular in Scandinavia, and this will be its first performance in Lithuania," said choir director Rasa Gelgotienė. 

Today, Virgo combines academic tradition with bold modern programs. Guest ensembles, the VU Chamber Orchestra, and Virgo alumni, former choir members from around the world, will join the anniversary concert to celebrate the ensemble's birthday together. This evening is a celebration of the VU community that is worth experiencing live. 

Facebook event

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PROGRAM

Part 1 — VU Chamber Orchestra 

 T. Petrulis: "Island of Discoveries"

Part I – "Dance in the Sand" • Part II – "Immersion in Water" • Part III – "Mirage in the Fog" 

Conducted by Modestas Jankūnas.

Part 2 — Virgo a cappella

P. Janczak Ave Maria

E. Ešenvalds Lux Aeterna

Conducted by Rasa Gelgotienė.

P. Janczak, Pater Noster

Conducted by Asta Balnionytė-Grajevskė.

D. Zakaras, Ave Maris Stella

D. Zakaras, Cantate Domine (premiere!)

Conducted by Indrė Pinkevičė.

Part 3 — Marten Jansson's Missa Popularis

The Virgo choir with the Vilnius University Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Modestas Jankūnas, and guest ensembles: the Veni Gaudere academic singing studio (led by Adelė Mikalkėnienė), the Fishermen's House Women's Choir Dangė (conductor Judita Kiaulakytė) and the Vilnius College Girls' Choir Vaidilutės (conductor Genovaitė Leimontaitė-Kumpienė).

Conducted by Rasa Gelgotienė.

The piece was composed by Swedish composer Mårten Jansson. It was first performed in Poland in 2015. It is one of Jansson's most famous contemporary works, increasingly performed in Europe and beyond. His music combines sacred Latin texts with motifs from Swedish folk music.

This piece was chosen for Virgo's anniversary as a symbolic bridge between tradition and innovation: preserving the festive spirit of choral music while discovering the breath of modern Nordic culture.

Part 4 — Virgo with choir alumni

O. Narbutaitė's Vasara

G. Jautakaitė's Viešpaties lelija

M. M. Guirao's Habanera salada

decades: the Golden Bird, multiple wins at the Stasys Šimkus competition, Juventus 2019 silver, and first place in the 2023 Lithuanian Adult Choir Competition – the title of best women's choir.

More information: https://www.kultura.vu.lt/virgo 

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The VU Culture Center is home to groups that have been nurturing traditions for decades, whose concerts and premieres constantly invite audiences to enjoy experiences of high artistic quality. Follow the news and upcoming events on the VU KC social networks and website:  

→ https://www.instagram.com/vukulturoscentras/

→ www.kultura.vu.lt