Light meets sound: the impressive light show for the world premiere of Beatitudines in Munich’s Liebfrauendom cathedral

On the weekend of 23 and 24 November 2024, Munich’s Liebfrauendom became the stage for an extraordinary cultural event: the world premiere of Enjott Schneider’s oratorio Beatitudines. The Beatitudes – In Timeless Truth was not only musically inspiring, but also visually. WE ARE VIDEO was able to accompany this unique composition with a specially designed light show and immerse the cathedral in an impressive interplay of sound and light.

A composition with historical depth

Enjott Schneider, one of Munich’s most internationally renowned composers, was commissioned to compose this monumental work to mark the 1300th anniversary of the Archbishopric of Munich and Freising. Beatitudines combines the central biblical message of the Beatitudes with the story of St Korbinian and historical milestones of the diocese. Musically, the work spans an arc from the beginnings in the year 724 to the present day and integrates various epochs of music history.

An ensemble for eternity

The première was performed by the concentrated power of the cathedral choir, the young cathedral choir, the cathedral choirboys, the girls’ choir, the cathedral wind ensemble and the cathedral orchestra – all under the direction of cathedral cantor Benedikt Celler. Soloists such as Ingolf Turban (violin), Caroline Adler (soprano), Ansgar Theis (baritone) and cathedral organist Ruben Sturm complemented the ensemble and provided moments of musical splendour. Particularly impressive: the sound of a violin made from 50,000-year-old New Zealand bog wood, which was presented for the first time in this context.

A visual masterpiece

The contemporary music was given a visual layer by a specially staged light show by WE ARE VIDEO, which combined the historical character of the oratorio with modern aesthetics. The lighting design set specific accents that emphasised the architecture of the cathedral and at the same time underscored the emotional depth of the music. The result was a synaesthetic experience that merged music and space in perfect harmony.

Conclusion: a weekend for the senses

The world premiere of Beatitudines in the Liebfrauendom was not only a musical highlight, but also a visual experience that will remain in the memory. It shows how music and light together can create a unique atmosphere that goes beyond the ear and appeals to all the senses.

We look back with pride on our collaboration with the Archbishop’s Ordinariate and thank everyone involved for this extraordinary project. We look forward to continuing to enrich cultural highlights such as this with our light installations in the future.