02 Mar APRIL 22 & 30, 2026 – THE ENCHANTMENT OF THE STABAT MATER

Posted at 13:12h in Upcoming events by


Wed 22.04.26 – 20h30 – Handelsbeurs, Antwerp
Thu 30.04.26 – 20h15 – St. Rombouts Cathedral, Mechelen

I am truly excited about the world premiere of ‘Veni Creator Spiritus’ by Pēteris Vasks. When I conducted his impressive Viola Concerto with the Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra, I asked him whether he might consider writing a work for choir and strings for Casco Phil.

I am delighted that this commission has finally come through — especially in collaboration with Casco Phil and one of Europe’s finest choirs, the Flemish Radio Choir (Vlaams Radiokoor). Also on the programme is, to my mind, the most beautiful Stabat Mater of all: the one by Giovanni Battista Pergolesi.

The vocal soloists are Camila Mandillo (soprano) and Marie-Juliette Ghazarian (mezzo-soprano), with whom I previously collaborated on the opera ‘Cambio’.

Partners for these concerts are the Antwerp Spring festival and the Flanders Festival Mechelen ‘Lunalia’.
The concerts will be broadcasted on live radio.

Cast:
Benjamin Haemhouts: conductor
Flemish Radio Choir: choir
Camila Mandillo: soprano
Marie-Juliette Ghazarian: mezzo-soprano
Casco Phil: orchestra

Arvo Pärt – Fratres (for strings and percussion)
Alfred Schnittke – Drei geistliche Gesänge
Pēteris Vasks – Veni Creator Spiritus
Giovanni Battista Pergolesi – Stabat Mater

In collaboration with the Antwerp Spring Festival and Lunalia.