The Capella Duriensis choir will perform two concerts for the first time in the Azores under the 2012 Music Season, an initiative promoted by the Presidency of the Government through the Regional Directorate for Culture.

The first concert will take place at Nossa Senhora da Guia Church, Angra do Heroísmo Museum, on October 12 and the second will be held on the following day, October 13, at Teatro Micaelense; both concerts start at 9:30 PM.

This vocal ensemble is directed by British conductor Jonathan Ayerst, pianist of Remix Ensemble and assistant conductor of the Casa da Música Choir.

Considered as one of the best a capella ensembles of today, Capella Duriensis was founded in 2010 and it is headquartered in the city of Porto. Its repertoire includes 19th century Russian Orthodox music, Ancient Liturgical Chant from Western Europe, Portuguese renaissance polyphony, Eastern Europe folk music and 20th century liturgical music.

The concert programme features 20th century music, including composers J. Tavener, I. Stravinsky, J. Alain, B. Bartók, M. Balakirev, among others. The ensemble will perform "Lux Aeterna" by composer G. Ligeti (1923-2006). This work become famous among the public in general after it was used in the film "2001: A Space Odyssey" by S. Kubrick.

In the context of the educational activities carried out under the Music Season, a master class in choral direction taught by maestro Jonathan Ayerst will be held at the Ponta Delgada Conservatory on October 15.

Under the artistic direction of Emanuel Frazão, the 2012 Music Season is produced by MALA, Azorean Cultural Cooperative, based in Ponta Delgada.