For the first time in Lithuania, the Sorbonne University Choir and Orchestra (COSU), together with the choirs and Chamber Orchestra of Vilnius University (VU), will present a concert diptych. The first evening of the “Vilnius–Paris” concert cycle will invite audiences into a choral music experience revealing the full potential of the human voice – from subtle timbres and transparent harmonies to intense musical dramaturgy. The concert will focus on works by some of the most relevant contemporary European composers writing for choir. The a cappella programme will feature compositions by Lars Jansson, Kim André Arnesen, Rihards Dubra, Ēriks Ešenvalds, Donatas Zakaras, and others.
A cappella refers to music performed solely by voices, without instrumental accompaniment. This tradition dates back to early sacred music and remains one of the purest forms of musical expression. The stage will bring together the Sorbonne University Choir and Vilnius University choirs “Virgo”, “Gaudeamus”, and “Pro Musica”. Solo parts will be performed by members of the “Virgo” choir – sopranos Juliana Malinovskaja and Vytautė Cvirkaitė. The concert will culminate in a joint performance by all Vilnius University choirs. It will be not only a musical evening, but also a live encounter of the international academic community.
“The artistic level of our guests, the Sorbonne University Choir, is remarkably high. I would like to invite audiences not to miss this rare opportunity to hear them live in Vilnius,” said Rasa Gelgotienė, Artistic Director and Chief Conductor of VU choirs. According to her, the French and Lithuanian choirs have prepared a programme offering audiences a distinctive selection of contemporary European choral music.
The Sorbonne University Choir and Orchestra (COSU) is a space where academic study, artistic creation, and international musical experience intersect. The ensemble brings together more than one hundred students from various fields of study, many specialising in music and musicology, thus fostering a dialogue between theory and performance. Alongside the classical repertoire, COSU pays particular attention to rarely performed works and world premieres. The choir and orchestra perform in prestigious venues such as the Philharmonie de Paris, Salle Gaveau, and Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, as well as internationally, representing the university’s mission in art, education, and culture.
Since 2020, the Sorbonne University Choir has been led by Frédéric Pineau – a choral conductor and educator who continuously explores the rich choral repertoire and seeks to make it accessible to diverse audiences. Having completed studies in orchestral and choral conducting, he further developed his professional expertise with renowned European conductors such as Raphaël Pichon and Frieder Bernius. F. Pineau also directs the Rouen Chamber Choir and the Rouen Youth Choir, conducts the Paris Oratorio Choir, and leads the “Yellow Socks Choir”, which specialises in film music and concert performances related to cinema.
Sharing the stage with the Sorbonne Choir will be three VU choirs: “Gaudeamus”, one of the oldest and largest university choirs in Lithuania; “Virgo”, one of the country’s most prominent academic women’s choirs; and “Pro Musica”, the university ensemble known for performing large-scale choral works. Each VU choir has its own unique history and identity, yet their shared mission – to foster choral music and share its beauty both in Lithuania and abroad – creates a unique synergy, allowing audiences to experience choral music at the highest level. All three choirs are led by Artistic Director and Chief Conductor Rasa Gelgotienė.
The second evening of the “Vilnius–Paris” concert diptych, dedicated to choral and symphonic music, will take place on 25 April 2025 at 6:00 PM. The concert cycle is organised by the Vilnius University Culture Centre.
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