Singing together from original manuscripts on a central music stand has been the trademark of Cappella Pratensis for over 35 years. These are often loose-leaf copies, but for a few months now the group has had a hand-made facsimile of one of the Bossche Choirbooks. And there are two more to come.
With a weight of over twenty kilos, these books are way too heavy for the current standard. That is why in 2021 the Friends of Cappella Pratensis Foundation decided to collect money for the purchase and restoration of a very special neo-Gothic standard. The finish line was reached in March 2023, after which the ensemble could use it for the first time during the concert on March 23, 2022.
The 140 kilo heavy colossus is being added to the collection of Museum het Zwanenbroedershuis on loan, and will only travel for special concerts in and near the Netherlands, when the ensemble will sing from real choirbooks or facsimiles.
The Friends’ Foundation and the ensemble are deeply grateful to everyone who contributed to this special purchase!
