Classics for All 2026 | Antonio Vivaldi „Gloria“
Organised annually by the Vilnius University Culture Centre, the educational project “Classics for All” transforms the traditional relationship between concert performers and audiences. People who usually listen to classical music in concert halls become performers themselves, sharing the stage with the university’s art groups and professional soloists.
Initiated in 2012 by Rasa Gelgotienė, artistic director of the VU choirs and conductor, the project has brought together people of different ages and professions united by a passion for choral singing over fourteen seasons. Some participants return every year, while new voices join them.
This Year’s Work: Antonio Vivaldi’s Gloria
This year, participants will prepare Antonio Vivaldi’s Gloria (RV 589), one of the composer’s best-known sacred choral works.
Composed in eighteenth-century Venice, Gloria is characterised by striking contrasts. Its twelve movements weave together majestic choral passages, dialogues between soloists, energetic rhythms and calm, lyrical melodies.
On 12 December, the work will be performed by singers joining the project for one day, the VU choirs “Gaudeamus”, “Pro Musica” and “Virgo”, and the VU Chamber Orchestra. The soloists will be Gunta Gelgotė (soprano) and Nora Petročenko (mezzo-soprano). The performance will be conducted by Rasa Gelgotienė.
At the beginning of the concert, the VU Chamber Orchestra, led by Modestas Jankūnas, will perform “Autumn” and “Winter” from Max Richter’s recomposition of Antonio Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons. The soloists will be the orchestra’s violinists Alejandra Belandria and Kornelija Sakalauskaitė.
One Day in the Choir: What Participants Need to Know
Anyone with choral singing experience and the ability to read sheet music is welcome to join the project. Registration is open until 30 November. However, previous years have shown that places in the soprano and alto sections fill up quickly, and the choir has a limited capacity. Last year, the project brought together more than 400 performers.
Once registered and the participation fee has been paid, singers gain access to the project’s private social media group, where they can find sheet music, preparation materials and the latest organisational information.
The joint rehearsal is scheduled for 12 December, starting at 10:00 a.m., and the concert will begin at 7:00 p.m.
Registration: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScHwViZJvspj3pqsivBYljj3GOhpP8FEGQjxoYRyqm0m5tb5A/viewform
Participation fee: €15.75
Tickets for audience:https://kakava.lt/en/event/klasika-visiems-2026-antonio-vivaldi-gloria/13184/28208
Organised by the Vilnius University Culture Centre.
Project partner: “Pro Musica ir draugai” Association
Partially funded by: Vilnius City Municipality
Project friends: UAB “Paulig Lietuva”, UAB “Didakta”.