Theotokos
Chelsea Music Festival presents
Place of Refuge — Historia Sancti Magni
Thursday, June 26th, at St. Paul’s German Lutheran Church at 315 West 22nd Street.
The concert will feature the reanimation of a miraculous composition written 10 centuries ago by Hermann of Reichenau, or “Herman the Disabled” (1013–1054), an astonishing monk, intellectual and musician from the Middle Ages.
It will be performed by the Theotokos Ensemble, a renowned Baroque collective celebrated for their passionate performances, meticulous historical research, and boundless creative spirit. Doug Balliett will be playing the church organ and leiken, tenor, will be singing for the evening’s program, which takes as its centerpiece Hermann’s Historia Sancti Magni, or “The Story of Saint Magnus.”
Magnus was a local saint venerated in the region where Hermann lived who was especially known for his natural miracles (expelling snakes, training dragons, and working closely with local bears to find lucrative iron mines!)… Through hymns, antiphons, responsories, and readings, Hermann tells the story of Magnus’s life, including his miraculous acts and his surprising interactions with animals. Musically, it stands equal among the great spiritual works of western music, and put in the proper context, the drama matches the intensity of the great Romantic operas of the 19th century.
Get 10% off tickets at checkout with the code CMF2025EARLYMUSIC
DATE: Thursday, June 26, 2025
TIME: 7:00 PM–8:30 PM
VENUE: St. Paul’s German Lutheran Church, 315 West 22nd Street, New York, NY 10011
Post-Concert Reception: A reception will follow the concert, providing an opportunity for convivial conversation and fellowship.
