Laudem Dei Chamber Choir is performing Ola Gjeilo’s Sunrise Mass on Saturday, 06 September 2025, at the beautiful St Stithians Chapel. The concert will feature this incredible work, alongside other choir favourites, including works by Eric Whitacre, Allan Koepke and Franco Prinsloo. Get your tickets now.
The Story Behind the Music
Ola Gjeilo’s Sunrise Mass is more than music, it’s an emotional journey.
Called Sunrise Mass, Norwegian composer Olja Gjeilo (b. 1978) created this 30-minute work for choir and strings with four sections: The Spheres (Kyrie), Sunrise (Gloria), The City (Credo), and Identity & The Ground (Sanctus/ Benedictus & Agnus Dei).
Gjeilo said of the work:
"The reason I used English titles for each movement in this setting of the Latin Mass has to do with the initial idea behind Sunrise Mass. I wanted the musical journey of the work to evolve from transparent and spacey to something earthy and warm; from nebulous and pristine, through more emotional landscapes, to ultimately solid groundedness – as a metaphor for human development from child to adult, or as a spiritual journey.
The piece is also inspired by several movies and film scores from the past few years that I love dearly."
What To Expect?
From the stillness of “The Spheres” to the soaring “Gloria” and the heartfelt “Agnus Dei,” each movement is like watching the light grow from dawn to day.
Laudem Dei is honoured to share the stage with a world-class string ensemble consisting of members from the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra:
Miro Chakaryan, Leonie Greyling Daline Mitchley, Lize Schaap on violin; Violeta Milijkovic and Kate White on viola; Maren Du Plessis and Thys Spies on cello; and Christi-Louise Swanepoel on double bass.
This concert promises to be an unforgettable highlight to celebrate Spring! Come and experience the sunrise in song.
Event Details
- Date: Saturday, 06 September 2025
- Time: 15:00
- Venue: St Stithians Chapel, 3 Chapel Drive, Lyme Park, Sandton, Johannesburg.
- Cost: R150 per person
- For tickets and more information: email [email protected]
Alternatively, you can buy your ticket at the door. Ample seating is available.
For More Information
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Also, you can email [email protected] for more information.
