Carmina Burana Reimagined

An intimate, candlelit choral explosion of fate, passion, and medieval poetry — in an atmospheric Kensington United Reformed Church in the heart of London. Feel the fire of fate and the pulse of human desire in this chamber performance of Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana — brought to life under the direction of world-renowned conductor Ralph Allwood MBE DMus . In this unique performance, the dramatic power of Orff’s music meets the artistry of the Allwood Choir — an elite ensemble of award-winning choral singers, each a member of some of the UK’s most distinguished vocal groups — alongside two exceptional soloists and piano and flicker of hundreds of candles. This premiere offers a rare and intimate version of one of the most iconic works of the 20th century. A daring, visceral cantata based on 13th-century texts — part pagan, part sacred, part scandalous — Carmina Burana speaks to the eternal cycles of luck, lust, love, and loss. Composed in 1935–36 and based on 24 poems from the medieval Codex Buranus , Orff’s explosive choral writing transformed these ancient verses into one of the most iconic works of the 20th century, opening with the thunderous O Fortuna , a hymn to the cruelty and unpredictability of fate. This concert follows the traditional three-part structure: 1. Spring’s Awakening 2. The Tavern 3. The Court of Love Framed by a dramatic prologue and epilogue that remind us, the wheel of fortune never stops turning. Newly adapted from original manuscripts and arranged specifically for this space, the programme offers a bold and emotionally charged experience that reveals the inner intensity of Orff’s vision. This program is not affiliated with Schott's Music edition of the Carmina Burana composition by Carl Orff. Doors open at least 30 minutes before the concert.