45 Years of Virgo’s Musical Journey | Missa Popularis Premieres in Vilnius

Vilnius University Women’s Choir Virgo invites you to a festive anniversary concert, where for the very first time in Vilnius, at St. John’s Church, Mårten Jansson’s Missa Popularis will be performed!

This autumn marks the 45th anniversary of the choir’s creative journey, celebrated with a special concert. “I chose Missa Popularis because it was originally written for a women’s choir (later adapted for mixed choir), it is well-known in Scandinavia, and in Lithuania this will be its very first performance,” shared choir conductor Rasa Gelgotienė.

Today, Virgo unites academic tradition with bold, modern programs. For the anniversary concert, guest ensembles, the Vilnius University Chamber Orchestra, as well as Virgo alumnae – former choir members from all over the world – will join the stage to celebrate the choir’s birthday together.

This evening is the sound of the Vilnius University community – something you must experience live.

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𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐌

Part I – Vilnius University Chamber Orchestra

T. Petrulis: Island of Discoveries
I – Dance in the Sand • II – Immersion in Water • III – Mirages in the Mist
Conductor: Modestas Jankūnas

Part II – Virgo a cappella

P. Janczak – Ave Maria
E. Ešenvalds – Lux Aeterna
Conductor: Rasa Gelgotienė

P. Janczak – Pater Noster
Conductor: Asta Balnionytė-Grajevskė

D. Zakaras – Ave Maris Stella
D. Zakaras – Cantate Domine (premiere!)
Conductor: Indrė Pinkevičė

Part III – Mårten Jansson: Missa Popularis

Performed by Virgo with the Vilnius University Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Modestas Jankūnas, and guest ensembles:

• Academic Singing Studio Veni Gaudere (conductor Adelė Mikalkėnienė) 

• Women’s Choir Dangė of the Fishermen’s Palace (conductor Judita Kiaulakytė)

• Vilnius College Women’s Choir Vaidilutės (conductor Genovaitė Leimontaitė-Kumpienė)

Conductor: Rasa Gelgotienė 

The piece was composed by Swedish composer Mårten Jansson and first performed in Poland in 2015. It is one of his most celebrated contemporary works, now frequently performed across Europe and beyond. The music combines sacred Latin texts with motifs of Swedish folk music.

For Virgo’s jubilee, this work was chosen as a symbolic bridge between tradition and innovation: preserving the festive spirit of choral music while discovering the fresh breath of Nordic culture.

Part IV – Virgo with alumnae

O. Narbutaitė – Vasara (Summer)
G. Jautakaitė – The Lord’s Lily
M. M. Guirao – Habanera salada

Virgo is a girls' choir at Vilnius University Cultural Center that's been around since 1980. Led by Rasa Gelgotienė, it's racked up some awesome experience and titles over four decades: the Golden Bird, multiple Stasys Šimkus competition laurels, 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 cherishing traditions for decades, whose concerts and premieres constantly invite audiences to enjoy experiences of high artistic quality. 

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