Baltic Debut: »human requiem« at the »Open To The World« Festival in Vilnius

For the first time in its 100-year history, Rundfunkchor Berlin brings its internationally acclaimed »human requiem« to the Baltic States, performing Brahms’ iconic »Ein deutsches Requiem« at the »Open To The World« Festival in Vilnius (Lithuania) on November 21 and 22. Under the musical direction of Principal Conductor Gijs Leenaars and Co-Conductor Justus Barleben, and staged by Jochen Sandig, the ensemble marks a milestone, not only for the choir but for the region’s vibrant choral community as well.

Transforming Tradition: The »human requiem« Experience

»human requiem« redefines what choral performance can be. In this immersive staging, the singers perform entirely from memory and move freely among the audience, eliminating the boundaries between stage and spectators. The result is an intimate, collective ritual, in which voice, movement, and space become one. Since its 2012 premiere in Berlin, this concept has inspired sold-out audiences in Paris, New York, Hong Kong, Adelaide, Athens, Brussels, and now, for the first time, Vilnius.​

Personal Reflections and Artistic Impact

Principal Conductor Gijs Leenaars recalls, »When I first conducted the production in Paris, I realized its power in forging deep connections with the audience. The immersive format challenges us musically, but the intensity and emotion it unlocks are unparalleled.«

Rachel-Sophia Dries, Managing Director, describes the production as »the very core of our choir.« Performing Brahms’ Requiem from memory and in this fully staged way has been transformative: »It changed how others see us, and it changed us from within.«

A Meeting of Spirits: Festival and Partnership

Audrius Valatkevičius, producer of »Open To The World«, welcomes the choir: »It is an honour to have the Rundfunkchor Berlin play a part in Lithuania’s cultural story. Our festival and the choir share a commitment to openness and collaboration – this concert is both the highlight of our 2025 program and a symbol of the strengthening ties between Lithuania and Germany.«

A Platform for International Choral Excellence

The »Open To The World« Festival, founded by the ISM Bel Canto Choir Vilnius, is one of the Baltic States’ leading events for choral music. This year’s edition features five concerts with more than 300 participants, including renowned ensembles such as Ringmasters, Sweden’s Zero8, Lithuania’s Dagilėlis, and the Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra.

Concert Details and Artistic Team

Both concerts take place at the Lithuanian Exhibition and Congress Centre LITEXPO, transformed into a unique, immersive performance space for this occasion.

Fri, November 21, 2025, 7 pm
Sat, November 22, 2025, 7 pm
Lithuanian Exhibition and Congress Centre LITEXPO, Vilnius

Johannes Brahms, »Ein deutsches Requiem«, op. 45
for soloists, mixed choir, and four-hand piano
(arranged by Philip Moll from Brahms’s original transcription)

Line-up:
Victoria Randem (Soprano)
Ansgar Theis (Baritone)
Angela Gassenhuber and Philip Mayers (Piano)

Rundfunkchor Berlin
Gijs Leenaars (Conductor)
Justus Barleben (Co-Conductor)

Jochen Sandig (Concept & Direction)
Sasha Waltz (Choreography & Dramaturgy)
Ilka Seifert & Virgis Puodziunas (Artistic Collaboration)
Brad Hwang (Scenography)
Jörg Bittner (Light Design)
Kristin Hörnig (Stage Engineering)

Thanks to the support of the Goethe-Institut Lithuania, the German Embassy in Vilnius, LIDL Lietuva, Allianz Lietuva, and SAP Lietuva, these performances mark a significant moment of European cultural collaboration.