Iveta Apkalna & State Choir LATVIJA
A must-hear concert of mesmerising choral music performed by the biggest professional choir in Latvia, where singing is lifeblood, with Iveta Apkalna on organ.
The warmth, beauty and purity of Latvian choral singing is on display tonight, steeped in the rich choral traditions of the country and the Orthodox church.
This concert brings together the biggest professional choir in the Baltic States with the multiple award-winning Iveta Apkalna, titular organist of the Klais organ at the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, Germany.
In the first half of the concert, we hear music from close to the choir’s home. Two spiritual works by Estonia’s Arvo Pärt set the scene, followed by Herr, bleib bei uns! by Latvian composer Rihards Dubra, who calls his music ‘a style of meditation’. Works by Dubra’s compatriot Pēteris Vasks continue the contemplative mood.
The centrepiece is Bach’s French-influenced Pièce d’orgue, where the bright opening gives way to a grand central movement before coming to a virtuosic close.
There’s also a spotlight on British music, with Elgar’s soaring ‘Nimrod’ from Enigma Variations, arranged for choir by John Cameron, and a special Purcell arrangement.
Thierry Escaich’s Evocation No.2 and Three Motets heighten the sense of drama, before the evening closes with Gardiner’s choral gem Evening Hymn.
Performers
State Choir LATVIJA
Iveta Apkalna organ
Repertoire
Arvo Pärt: Pari intervallo for organ; Nunc dimittis for chorus
Rihards Dubra: Herr, bleib bei uns! for chorus
Pēteris Vasks: Zīles ziņa (The tomtit's message) for chorus; Dona nobis pacem for chorus & organ
Interval
Bach: Fantasia in G (Pièce d'orgue), BWV.572
Elgar: Lux aeterna (Nimrod) from Enigma Variations arr. John Cameron for chorus
Purcell: Hear my prayer, O Lord for chorus arr. Sven-David Sandström
Thierry Escaich: Evocation No.2 for organ; 3 Motets for chorus & organ
Gardiner: Evening hymn for chorus & organ
Need to know
Please note significant changes to repertoire from originally advertised.
Find out more about the music with our free programme.
View the programme
Box package
You can buy an exclusive box package for this event. More details of our Royal Festival Hall exclusive box package.
Reviews
‘The choir exhibits an extreme dynamic range, and yet at both ends of that spectrum its technical control never wavers’ Fanfare
‘Ravishing’ BBC Music Magazine
Times & tickets
Dates, times and prices
Dates & times
07 Jun 2026, 3pm
Run time
2 hours (approx)
All timings are approximate and subject to change
Standard entry
from £17 + £4 booking fee
Ticket prices may be adjusted without notice to reflect demand.
Concessions
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Refunds and exchanges
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Multi-buy Spring/Summer 2026 discount
3 – 4 events: 10% discount
5 – 7 events: 15% discount
8 – 10 events: 20% discount
11 – 14 events: 25% discount
15+ events: 30% discount
Discounts apply to selected events, February 2026 – June 2026 inclusive. Offer can’t be combined with the Autumn/Winter 2025/26 multi-buy.
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This event is held at the Royal Festival Hall Southbank Centre
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