– Rudolf Oetker Hall, Bielefeld

About this event

The 800th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi makes 2026 the Assisi Year. In grand choral scenes, radiant orchestral passages, and intimate, contemplative moments, Hermann Suter set to music the mystical hymns of praise by Saint Francis of Assisi—music filled with humility, closeness to nature, and inner grandeur. With its colorful, late-Romantic sonorities, Suter’s work unfolds an overwhelming spiritual power. The composition combines sonic opulence with deeply felt devotion and ranks among the most impressive sacred works of the early 20th century. When the Oratorienchor’s powerful expressiveness unites with the orchestral brilliance of the Bielefelder Philharmoniker, an evening of extraordinary intensity emerges. In the outstanding acoustics of the Rudolf-Oetker-Halle, this rarely performed masterpiece becomes a moving experience for heart and senses.

Cast & creative

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  Conductor

  Hagen Enke
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  Composer

  Hermann Suter
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  Librettist

  Saint Francis of Assisi