OPEN TO THE WORLD 2025
ISM Choir Bel Canto Vocal Music Festival
CONCERT PROGRAM
The program features modern choral music, video game soundtracks, original pop and jazz arrangements, and the premiere of Exodus — a piece written especially for the ISM Choir Bel Canto (composer and conductor Rasmus Krigström).
The biggest night of the festival – 200 artists from Lithuania, Sweden, the USA, and a spectacular festive program!
As part of the unique Open To The World project, ISM Bel Canto Choir Vilnius hosts the festival’s headline concert, offering a memorable blend of voices, energy, and style.
On December 6, 2025, at 7 PM, at the LSSO Concert Hall, ISM Bel Canto Choir Vilnius will join forces with the Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra; Zero8, Europe’s top male choir from Sweden; Dagilėlis, Lithuania’s leading boys’ choir; and the charismatic American vocalist Jamal Moore.
The program features exciting premieres, contemporary choral and Christmas music, bold jazz and pop arrangements, and music from the legendary Civilization game soundtrack. Get ready for a night of music you’ll never forget!
One of the evening’s highlights is the newest work by Zero8 artistic director, conductor, and songwriter Rasmus Krigström – Exodus, written for two choirs and orchestra. The piece, he explains, reflects the mood of today’s world: “We are surrounded by painful and unsettling events, and it is natural to long for a way out – a path toward hope. The daily news often leaves us in despair and anger, and who else can we blame if not ourselves, or at least that part of humanity that knows only how to destroy. Is there a way out of this chaos? Can we imagine it, and most importantly – reach it? Exodus invites us to reflect on these questions and to keep searching for the light, even if the path is still unclear. It is a reminder that we must at least try.”
The three choirs and the LSSO, joined by the charismatic American vocalist Jamal Moore, will also perform music from the legendary Civilization game soundtrack – works that captivated audiences at last year’s OTTW concerts. Those sold-out shows were conducted by the composer himself, two-time Grammy Award winner Christopher Tin, one of the world’s most renowned contemporary composers.
The first part of the concert will focus on contemporary works rarely performed in Lithuania. The Lithuanian ISM Bel Canto Choir Vilnius, Dagilėlis, and Sweden’s Zero8 will present standout modern pieces from their repertoires along with special premieres. A highlight of this section will be three remarkable works arranged and gifted to the festival by the choir’s friend, Blake Morgan, tenor of the British vocal ensemble VOCES8 and songwriter. Thanks to him, The Jackson 5 classic I’ll Be There, the gospel hymn Shall We Gather at the River, and the Scottish ballad Caledonia will sound anew – with vocal elegance, sensitivity, and unexpected harmonic turns.
The climax of the first half will be O Magnum Mysterium, Morten Lauridsen’s masterpiece of contemporary choral music, performed by a choir of 140 voices. Critics have described it as “a pure, mystical meditation in which expansive harmonies and gentle simplicity create a glowing, transcendent serenity.”
A Unique Christmas Experience in Vilnius
Berniukų ir jaunuolių choras „Dagilėlis“ (Manto Gudzinevičiaus nuotr.)
Dagilėlis is widely regarded as Lithuania’s premier boys’ choir, celebrated for its ability to blend diverse musical styles with emotionally charged performances. The ensemble enjoys high acclaim, performing regularly abroad and earning numerous awards at international competitions. As a singing school, Dagilėlis also plays a vital role in the musical education of boys and young men in Lithuania. A special highlight of their appearance will be the choir’s acclaimed rendition of The Lion Sleeps Tonight, where the singers vividly recreate the sounds of nature and jungle life, enhanced by tasteful choreography.
Vyrų choras „Zero8“ (Manto Gudzinevičiaus nuotr.)
Founded in 2006, Zero8 is a male choir based in Stockholm that has mastered the art of barbershop singing. With a focus on technical precision, subtle vocal blending, and captivating stage presence, the choir has successfully applied these qualities to a wide array of musical genres, including jazz and classical music. Bringing together more than 40 singers, Zero8 won the title of Best Choir in Europe at the 2024 European Grand Prix for Choral Singing. The group has also been crowned European Barbershop Champions four consecutive times and represented Sweden at the Eurovision Choir competition in 2019.
LVSO Concert Hall (Manto Gudzinevičiaus nuotr.)
Find out more about the event.
All information about ‘Open To The World 2025’ can be found here: https://chorasbelcanto.lt/en/home/.