Danse macabre

The UK premiere of Gregory Rose's music-theatre piece Danse macabre, which was first performed in Tallinn, Estonia in October 2011, takes place as part of the London Festival of Contemporary Church Music.

Danse macabre is inspired by a work of the same name by the medieval German artist Bernt Notke which is to be found in St Nicholas Church (Niguliste) in Tallinn.

Danse Macabre is a series of paintings showing Death taunting the Pope, Emperor, Empress, Cardinal, King and Bishop, with texts in medieval German at the base of each picture, which Gregory has used for the principal singers. The chorus sings the complete Latin Requiem.

The piece consists of solo arias, choruses and dances and features 6 principal singers, a small band of 13 players and chorus. It lasts around 75 minutes.

Concert features Exultate Singers and Jupiter Orchestra.