Polyphony in the Kempen
Utopia Ensemble & Psallentes
Around the year 1130, a small group of Norbertine monks from St Michael’s Abbey in Antwerp moved to Tongerlo. It seems that some of the choirmasters employed by Antwerp Cathedral in the 15th century were also active in the Kempen. That was reason enough for Utopia Ensemble to come up with a programme based on the Marian polyphony of Jacob Obrecht, Severin Cornet, Andreas Pevernage, Jacobus Barbireau and Geert van Turnhout. Like Antwerp Cathedral, Tongerlo Abbey is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. To reinforce the spiritual depth of the liturgy, the richness of polyphonic hymns is alternated with the simplicity of Gregorian music. In this way, the space inside the church and the acoustic effects it produces are exploited to the full.
Line-up
Utopia Ensemble
Michaela Riener, mezzo-soprano
Bart Uvyn, countertenor
Adriaan De Koster, tenor
Lieven Termont, baritone
Guillaume Olry, bass
Psallentes
Elisabeth Colson,
Lisa De Rijcke,
Barbara Somers,
Kerlijne Van Nevel,
Veerle Van Roosbroeck,
Renate Weytjens
Clare Wilkinson
conducted by Hendrik Vanden Abeele
17.09.2026
19:30 — 21:00
Abbey Tongerlo
Abdijstraat 40
Tongerlo
In collaboration with
Westerlo Town Council
Tongerlo Norbertine Abbey
Address
Tongerlo Abbey
Abdijstraat 40
Tongerlo
Tickets
€22 (under 26: €12)
Including reception
