Musica Divina 2026: Utopia Ensemble & Psallentes - Polyphony in the Kempen

Around 1130, some Norbertines from St. Michielsabdij van Antwerpen came to settle in Tongerlo. Some of the chapel masters who were connected to the cathedral of Antwerp in the 15th century also turned out to be active in the Kempen. Reason enough for the Utopia Ensemble to develop a program around the Marian polyphony of Jacob Obrecht, Severin Cornet, Andreas Pevernage, Jacobus Barbireau, and Geert van Turnhout. Just like the cathedral of Antwerp, the abbey of Tongerlo is also dedicated to Mary. To strengthen the spiritual depth of the liturgy, the richness of the polyphonic chants is alternated with the simplicity of Gregorian music. In this way, the spaciousness of the church and the acoustic play that goes with it are fully utilized. OCCUPATION Utopia Ensemble Michaela Riener, mezzo Bart Uvyn, countertenor Adriaan De Koster, tenor Lieven Termont, baritone Guillaume Olry, bass Psallentes Elisabeth Colson Lisa De Rijcke Barbara Somers Kerlijne Van Nevel Veerle Van Roosbroeck Renate Weytjens Clare Wilkinson conducted by Hendrik Vanden Abeele IN COLLABORATION WITH Gemeente Westerlo Norbertijnenabdij Tongerlo ADDRESS Abdij Tongerlo Abdijstraat 40 Tongerlo TICKETS € 22 (-26: € 12) Incl. reception