Synagogal Ensemble Berlin

The Synagogal Ensemble Berlin (SEB) combines the precision of classical concert singing with the vibrant tradition and deep spirituality of Jewish liturgical music. Founded in 2002 by conductor Regina Yantian, this professional vocal ensemble has become a fixture on the European cultural scene. It embodies a broad musical spectrum that makes Jewish sacred music accessible to a modern audience.

The Ensemble

The SEB’s roster consists of eight to twenty freelance concert singers who regularly perform as guest artists at international opera houses. Under the musical direction of Regina Yantian, the ensemble demonstrates great stylistic flexibility. Depending on the repertoire, the core ensemble is expanded to include international soloists, renowned cantors, and top-tier choirs and orchestras.

Repertoire & Tours

Over the course of its more than 20-year history, the SEB has developed a diverse repertoire. It ranges from Baroque synagogue masterpieces to Jewish Romantic music from Western and Eastern Europe, all the way to contemporary compositions from Israel and the United States. This sonic diversity—a cappella, in dialogue with the organ, or accompanied by a full orchestra—has taken the ensemble on tours throughout Germany as well as to Israel, Poland, Sweden, England, Italy, Serbia, and South Africa.

Louis Lewandowski Festival

As the musical flagship and host, the SEB has played a key role since 2011 in shaping the Louis Lewandowski Festival, which is known far beyond Berlin’s borders. The festival was founded by Nils Busch-Petersen, who also maintains close ties to the ensemble as chairman of its support association. Under the artistic direction of Regina Yantian, one of the leading figures in Berlin’s Jewish music scene, the festival becomes an international hub for synagogue music every year, bringing together choirs from all over the world in Berlin.

Highlights such as the 2022 festival, themed “Viva L’Italia—from Rossi to Rossini,” impressively demonstrated the ensemble’s ability to bring five centuries of Italian-Jewish musical history to life.

Media

The ensemble’s artistic work has been extensively documented. To date, the SEB has released six CDs featuring Jewish liturgical music from various eras. In addition, there are eight DVDs containing live recordings of festival concerts produced in collaboration with international guests.