Esplanade’s A Tapestry Of Sacred Music showcases West African dance and Noh rituals

A Tapestry Of Sacred Music 2026

Without a doubt, the best place to get a quick and free introduction to world sacred music traditions is the Esplanade’s annual A Tapestry Of Sacred Music. The 17th edition, which runs from April 30 to May 3, brings sacred music from mosques, temples, cathedrals and villages across continents under the roof of the big durian.

It opens with an athletic, whirling performance from The Gambia. Performed by the Berending Kumpo Association, it recreates the frenetic movements of the West African spirit Kumpo, which is traditionally draped in straw and believed to connect to a world of spirits (Esplanade Courtyard, April 30, 7.15pm).

Unlike the usual classical Japanese Noh, which is performed by professionals, the festival is bringing in the more communal Kurokawa Noh from the city of Tsuruoka, which involves community members.

The Kurokawa Noh Preservation Society will perform the ancient tale of Shojo or The Sake Sprite (Esplanade Concourse, April 30, 10.15pm) and Hagoromo or The Feathered Robe (Esplanade Concert Hall, May 1, 8.45pm).

Pakistani qawwali group Rizwan-Muazzam Qawwali – comprising Rizwan and Muazzam Mujahid Ali Khan – will perform two evenings of Sufi devotional music. They will be at the Esplanade Concert Hall on April 30 at 7.45pm and the Esplanade Concourse on May 1 at 10pm.

Interestingly, the festival will stage sessions which explore resonances across otherwise disparate sacred traditions. The choral traditions in Corsica and Papua New Guinea are put together in a lecture demonstration session (Esplanade Recital Studio, May 1, 3pm). Another session brings two ancient Asian reed-pipe instruments in conversation, namely the Chinese sheng and the Thai khaen (Esplanade Recital Studio, May 3, 5pm).

Where: Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, 1 Esplanade Drive
MRT: Esplanade/City Hall
When: April 30 to May 3, various timings
Admission: Free
Info: str.sg/MLjQ

The Wonder Chamber: Musical Curiosities From 17th-century Europe

Set in The Arts House’s charming chamber, this intimate concert by Red Dot Baroque – Singapore’s only professional group playing period instruments – could well be the perfect Mother’s Day afternoon for music lovers and the musically curious.

With acclaimed harpsichordist Olivier Fortin as guest director, the ensemble has ransacked a drawer of European musical curiosities and is presenting its spoils in two delightful chamber programmes on May 9. So, expect the same amount of Baroque drama, but not the standard serving of Bach and Vivaldi.

The title of this 70-minute concert is The Wonder Chamber, which is a nod to the wunderkammer (cabinet of curiosities) that had once intrigued Baroque composers. The programme will certainly throw up curiosities for even the intrepid concertgoer as most pieces are Singapore premieres.

Three of the pieces on the programme have not even been published and were discovered only through private manuscripts. They are Italian composer Antonio Bertali’s Sonata A 6 “Tausend Gulden” (One Thousand Guilders), Italian composer Alessandro Stradella’s Sinfonia In D Minor For Violin, Cello And Basso Continuo and Czech-Austrian composer Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber’s Sonata Jucunda (The Joyful Sonata).

“Being able to bring these pieces back to life sometimes feels similar to premiering a new piece by a living composer, where we are bringing our own signature take to a piece that the audience is hearing for the first time,” says Red Dot Baroque artistic director Alan Choo.

Where: Chamber, The Arts House at The Old Parliament, 1 Old Parliament Lane
MRT: City Hall
When: May 9, 3 and 5.30pm
Admission: $38 and $20 (concession); eligible for SG Culture Pass
Info: str.sg/moqg

Chinese Dance Fiesta 2026

The 11th edition of the Chinese Dance Fiesta will take the graceful art form across Singapore and feature dancers from schools, community groups and professional dance companies.

The free showcases, which will run at Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay on May 8 and 9, will travel to Tampines on May 10, VivoCity on May 15, Toa Payoh on May 16 and close at Chinatown on May 17.

Organised by the Singapore Chinese Dance Theatre (SCDT), the fiesta will also feature Chinese first-class choreographer Ma Jiaqin. She is also the creator of kunwu, an art form blending the elements of kunqu opera with contemporary expressions.

This includes two free 30-minute talk-demonstrations (May 9, 3 and 4pm), a two-hour introductory dance workshop (May 9, 10am, $10) and a four-day intensive workshop for experienced dancers (May 4 to 7, $300).

The festival opens SCDT’s 2026/2027 season, themed Legacy In Bloom, with full details available on the group’s website (str.sg/7e2h2).

Where: Various locations
MRT: Various
When: May 4 to 17, various timings
Admission: Free and ticketed
Info: str.sg/9aGLa