LUX PERPETUA nach Mozarts Requiem — Eröffnungskonzert TONALi Festival 2026

In the organizer's words:

Program

This year, our 16th TONALi Festival will kick off with a special concert in St. Andrew's Church: the asambura ensemble, together with the Monteverdi Choir Hamburg, the Hamburg Boys' Choir and the audience, some of whom will be involved, will present the moving work Lux Perpetua(production).

The asambura ensemble reinterprets, contextualizes and composes classical music in an unmistakable sound language: with interreligious and post-migrant dialogue perspectives, sensitive to sound and diversity. From a variety of global perspectives, LUX PERPETUA questions different cultures and religions on how they deal with death and eternity. From here, a fundamental expansion of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Requiem is achieved. Coming from the experiential spaces of mutual inspiration of different cultures, the composition penetrates into the surprisingly foreign aspects of Mozart's Requiem: In the most violent sobbing of the combination of Mozart's "Lacrimosa" with an Arabic lament, in the anarchic and wild "dance" on the edge of death in "Amajungusi", in the sudden leap from the groovy beginning of Rex tremendae into the mighty outcry "Rex!" - or in "Hawdala", in which melodic lines from Jewish tradition open the requiem to the most incomprehensible death, to the Shoa.

In the composition of LUX PERPETUA, the asambura ensemble once again deals with researching and exploring the meaning of mourning and eternity in the context of the culture of remembrance.

In LUX PERPETUA, fragmented, abstracted timbres and scales from Arabic musical traditions become just as audible as bell sounds and melodies of Jewish origin. And LUX PERPETUA not only looks at the great monotheistic traditions. The composition also turns to the belief in reincarnation, which underlies Hindu and Buddhist ideas, as well as the strong spiritual connection with ancestors, which plays an important role in East African cultures, for example.

A special feature of the TONALi Festival is the opportunity for active participation: anyone who wants to can contribute artistically to the concert. Just 60 minutes before the start, guests who are interested in participating are introduced to musical tasks - without any previous musical knowledge - and adapted to their individual inclinations and requirements. In addition to the asambura ensemble, the Monteverdi Choir and the Hamburg Boys' Choir will also take part in this unique evening.

A concert that builds bridges between cultures, religions, artists and audiences.
Build with us!

6 p.m.
Reception to kick off the festival

6.30 pm
Checkin to join in (see above)

7.30 pm
Start of concert

21.15 hrs
End of concert

Artists:inside

ensemble asambura - more ...

Monteverdi Choir Hamburg - more ...

Hamburg Boys' Choir - more ...

TONALi Stage Academy - more ...

Price information:

24€ - Full price 12€ - Reduced price (for visitors up to 30 years, people with disabilities and recipients of citizens' allowance) Free admission (for schoolchildren and accompanying persons for people with assistance needs) 30€ - SoliPreis (If you would like to support our work and the project, we would be delighted!) 10€ - Wheelchair space (We are currently looking into how we can offer wheelchair-accessible spaces).