Carmina Burana

About the work

Premiered in 1937. Orff set twenty-four secular poems from a thirteenth-century Benedictine manuscript — on fate, spring, the tavern and desire — to primitivist rhythmic power for huge orchestra and chorus. The opening 'O Fortuna' may be the most-quoted two minutes of classical music in film. After the premiere Orff told his publisher to pulp everything he had written before: 'my collected works begin with Carmina Burana.'

Upcoming performances