RIAS Kammerchor Berlin is one of the "ten best choirs in the world" (Gramophone, Classical Music Magazine). With "Stella Maris", the ensemble looks to the stars in order to trace back the experiences of Francis Poulenc and Tomás Luis de Victoria, two composers whose deep despair was soothed and whose lives were illuminated by the Mother Mary, Star of the Sea and Queen of the Sky.

Two composers, two masses, two completely different eras and soundworlds: Tomás Luis de Victoria, active in Madrid and Rome at the time of the Renaissance,and Francis Poulenc, born around the turn of the 20th century in Paris, are united by their need to refl ect on questions of life in the mirror of their religion.
Poulenc’s Mass in G major was composed at a time of religious awakening, brought about by the accidental death of a friend, and an epiphany he underwent at the shrine of Our Lady of Rocamadour in southern France.
Victoria’s exquisite Missa Ave Maris Stella is based on the medieval hymn of the same name, in which Mary is praised as the Star of the Sea. In the first part of this a cappella concert, Marian motets by contemporary composers are interpolated into Victoria’s Mass, whereas the second half complements Poulenc’s setting with motets by Victoria’s compatriot Francisco Guerrero.
Programm
Einojuhani Rautavaara
Canticum Mariae Virginis
Tomás Luis de Victoria
Missa Ave Maris Stella
Rory Wainwright Johnston
Ave Regina Caelorum
James MacMillan
A Child's Prayer
Francisco Guerrero
Ave virgo sanctissima
Francis Poulenc
Messe G-Dur
Francisco Guerrero
Regina caeli laetare
RIAS Kammerchor Berlin
Justin Doyle Conductor
Additional information
Accessibility
Parking
and access to the Philharmonie
West side
There are a limited number of designated disabled parking spaces in the
public parking areas on the west side of the
Philharmonie/Herbert-von-Karajan-Straße.
East
side
Disabled concert goers and their assistant companions can stop short
term at the Potsdamer Platz entrance (stage entrance on the east side of the
Philharmonie) via the Scharounstrasse entrance for picking up or dropping off.
The porters will open the barrier when you call from the entrance gate. This is
also available to taxis. Underground car park The underground car park under
the Chamber Music Hall (entrance via Scharoun-Straße) is not suitable for
disabled visitors as there is no lift from there to the foyer.