Orbis Aquarum – A New Water Music

Augsburg State Theatre | Invitation to the World Premiere of “orbis aquarum – A New Water Music”:

On Monday, May 4, 2026, the State Theatre of the German Blue Community / Blue City of Augsburg will premiere an extraordinary commissioned work: “orbis aquarum – A New Water Music.”

The vital resource of water plays a significant role on the global political agenda – also in Augsburg, the city of water and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The large-scale orchestral work with choir, “orbis aquarum,” draws attention to the World Heritage status and the global importance of water as a “hymn to water.”

Blue Community co-founder Maude Barlow states: “I dearly remember being there the day the city became a Blue Community. They cherish their water.”

The renowned composer Wolf Kerschek was commissioned by the Augsburg State Theatre for this exceptional work. Wolf Kerschek’s work is characterized by stylistic openness and diversity. He incorporates non-European music and jazz into his compositions. Musical elements from other cultures also play an important role in this work.

The Lebanese percussionist Rony Barrak and the flautist Katie Zahn will perform the solo parts, joining the State Theatre’s opera chorus and the Augsburg Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Domonkos Héja.

The world premiere will take place in cooperation with the UNESCO World Heritage Office of the City of Augsburg. The Augsburg Philharmonic Orchestra has been a World Heritage Ambassador for the “Water City” of Augsburg since 2024.

Following the world premiere on May 4, 2026, at the Augsburg Congress Center in the Park, the work will be performed at festive occasions centered around the theme of water. The composition will also be the focus of education and community music projects. For example, a simplified version of “orbis aquarum” will be made available to schools to encourage young people to create their own artistic works on the theme of “water.”