This year is an important anniversary year for four Brabant monasteries. That is why 2021 has been declared the Year of Brabant Monastic Life. Under this heading, Cappella Pratensis makes a unique ‘road trip’ along Brabant monasteries, with a series of free concerts for a small audience.
The program Nu dat het daglicht vult de hemel breathes along with nature and the rhythm of monastic life. Gregorian hymns that sing about the dawn, the sun, the evening and the night are the common thread and are intertwined with beautiful polyphony from the famous Bossche Choirbooks. Whenever possible, each concert begins with Gregorian chant in the open air of the cloister garden, an almost mystical experience. The series was kicked off in the early morning of Sunday 18 July, when Gregorian chant was mixed with the sound of awakening birds in the garden of Koningshoeven Abbey.
The performances are aimed at members of the monastic communities as well as visitors and have an intimate and tranquil character. Entrance is free. Afterwards there is an opportunity for a free donation and the purchase of CDs.
Sunday 18 July 5:00 am | Koningshoeven Abbey, Berkel-Enschot | Trappists
Sunday 18 July 12:30 am | Stadsklooster San Damiano, ‘s-Hertogenbosch | Capuchins
Sunday 18 July 3:30 pm | Klooster Saint Aegten, St. Agatha | Crosiers
Monday 19 July 4:30 pm | Emmaüsklooster, Velp | Capuchins
Monday 19 July 7:00 pm | Abdij Maria Toevlucht, Zundert | Trappists
Tuesday 20 July 3:00 pm | Klooster Nazareth, Oirschot | Franciscans
Tuesday 20 July 7:30 pm | Abdij van Berne, Heeswijk-Dinther | Norbertines
Wednesday 17 november 3:30 pm | Priorij Sint Catharinadal | Norbertines | CANCELLED due to Covid-19
Sunday 21 November 2:00 pm | Klooster Sint-Josephsberg, Megen | Poor Clares | CANCELLED due to Covid-19
The Gregorian chant in the program has been compiled from sources from the participating monastic orders, including the beautiful Graduale by Johannes van Deventer from the Croisiers monastery in St. Agatha.
This concert series is made possible by Performing Arts Fund The Netherlands, the Province of Noord-Brabant and Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds Noord-Brabant.
