Carmina Burana, an impressive spectacle with 135 artists on stage!
Prima Donna Events presents Carmina Burana, the masterpiece by Carl Orff, in a grand staging with choir, orchestra, soloists & dance!
Step into the majestic world of Carmina Burana, where passion, power & grandeur come together! Prima Donna Events presents Carl Orff’s masterpiece Carmina Burana in a magnificent production with no less than 135 artists on stage! Experience an impressive spectacle where all art forms—powerful choreography, stunning choral arrangements, exceptional soloists, and a fantastic live symphonic orchestra—blend into a breathtaking experience!
Prepare for a grand and immersive spectacle directed and choreographed by Gerard Mosterd.
“Carmina Burana is more than a performance, it is an epic journey through timeless themes of love, fate & desire!”
“Experience the unparalleled power of Carmina Burana in a spectacular performance that transcends the boundaries of art and emotion.”
Book your tickets now and get ready for an unforgettable and spectacular experience!
Sunday, April 27, 2025, at Concertgebouw Brugge, Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Trixxo Theater Hasselt, Friday, May 2, 2025, at Capitole Gent, Saturday, May 3 & Sunday, May 4, 2025, at Stadsschouwburg Antwerpen. Duration of the performance, 1 hour 15 minutes without break.
Stage images
Carmina Burana
Carmina Burana is one of the most famous and beloved works in classical music history. Composed by Carl Orff in 1936, the piece is based on a collection of medieval songs and poems found in a monastery in Bavaria. The lyrics of Carmina Burana are written in Latin, Old French, and Middle High German, and address themes such as love, fate, drinking, and the transience of life.
The work consists of 24 movements, divided into three parts. It opens with the famous “O Fortuna,” a powerful and captivating choral piece that sings about the fickleness of fate. This piece is perhaps the most recognizable and iconic part of Carmina Burana and is often used in films, commercials, and other media.
In addition to “O Fortuna,” Carmina Burana includes a variety of other movements, ranging from cheerful drinking songs to tender love songs and poignant laments. The music is exhilarating and rhythmic, with powerful percussion and choral sections that sweep the listener into an emotional rollercoaster.
Carmina Burana is a masterpiece of 20th-century classical music and is still regularly performed and recorded by orchestras and choirs worldwide. The work captivates the imagination due to the timeless themes it addresses and the powerful, immersive music it contains.
Carmina Burana is one of the most impressive and influential works in classical music history. With its powerful music and timeless themes, the piece has had a lasting impact on listeners and musicians around the world.
Carl Orff
Carl Orff (1895-1982) was a German composer and pedagogue who gained worldwide recognition for his influential contributions to music and education. Born on July 10, 1895, in Munich, Germany, Orff studied at the Akademie der Bildenden Künste and Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität in Munich. He showed an early interest in music, literature, and theater.
Orff is most famous for his work Carmina Burana, composed between 1935 and 1936. This piece, inspired by medieval Latin and German poems, became one of the most popular and recognizable works of 20th-century classical music. The powerful rhythms, lush orchestration, and expressive choruses make Carmina Burana an impressive and captivating piece.
In addition to his compositional contributions, Orff was also an innovator in the field of music education. He developed a teaching method known as Orff-Schulwerk, which focuses on developing musical skills in children through improvisation and creative expression. This approach has been adopted worldwide and remains an influential force in music education.
Orff also composed other works, including operas, theater music, and chamber music. His contributions to both contemporary classical music and education have firmly established his legacy in the world of music and the arts. Carl Orff passed away on March 29, 1982, in Munich, but his influence continues to live on through his timeless compositions and educational methods.
Medieval Poems & Songs
Carmina Burana is a composition by Carl Orff based on a collection of medieval poems and songs. The piece consists of 24 movements and is divided into three main sections: Primo Vere (In Spring), In Taberna (In the Tavern), and Cour d’Amours (Court of Love).
The story told in Carmina Burana is complex and encompasses a wide range of human experiences. The texts, written in Latin, German, and Old French, explore themes such as love, lust, fate, and the transience of life.
In the first section, Primo Vere, the arrival of spring is celebrated. It evokes images of the joy of nature, blooming flowers, and love in the air. This section is often energetic and lively in character.
The second section, In Taberna, moves to the atmosphere of a tavern. Here, the more worldly aspects of life are explored, including drinking, pleasure, and the fickleness of human emotions. It often has a powerful and rousing tone.
The final section, Cour d’Amours, focuses on the court of love. It describes the complexity of romantic relationships, the joy of love, and sometimes the pain of loss. This section can range from tender and lyrical to dramatic and emotional.
Overall, Carmina Burana offers a rich palette of emotions and human experiences, enhanced by Carl Orff’s powerful music. The piece has left a lasting impression due to its immersive performance and timeless themes.
O Fortuna
O Fortuna is perhaps the most famous part of Carmina Burana and serves as both the opening and closing chorus of the piece. It is a powerful and imposing composition that immediately sweeps the listener into the dramatic world of Carl Orff’s masterpiece.
The text of O Fortuna comes from the medieval Carmina Burana manuscripts and is written in Latin. The words call upon fate, the vicissitudes of life, and the inescapable power of destiny. The powerful and repetitive melody, combined with the impressive choir, creates a sense of inevitability and grandeur.
The music begins and ends with this striking choral piece and is repeated at various points throughout the work, giving it a central role in the overall structure of Carmina Burana. The powerful and exhilarating nature of O Fortuna has made it a popular and iconic piece of music, often used in film trailers, commercials, and other media due to its dramatic impact.
The use of choir, orchestra, and the majestic melody of O Fortuna contributes to the impressive and immersive experience of Carmina Burana. It is a powerful opening and closing that immediately grabs the audience’s attention and sets the tone for the epic story that follows.
