Carmina Burana, first performed in 1937, is based on an important collection of thirteenth-century poems found in the monastery of Benediktbeuren.

Carl Orff made selections from this collection and in robust and delicate musical colors painted a manifold picture of life.

“Everything I have written up to now, and which you have unfortunately printed, you can shred into pulp. My collected works begin with ‘Carmina Burana’.” Carl Orff wrote to his publisher after the premiere. And so it was that his work caused a sensation in the whole world and continues to delight people of all cultures. The ‘Carmina Burana’ are written for solo singers, chorus and orchestra.