Welcome once again to A Tapestry of Sacred Music, a unique three-day festival presented by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay. Now in its 16th edition, the festival highlights the artistry of sounds in houses of worship—gurdwaras, mosques, temples and cathedrals—giving our audiences here a glimpse into distant eras and rarified spaces.

Have you wondered what it would be like to hear the ancestral ritual sounds of the Korean royal courts? Or to witness the night ceremonies of a Turkish Sufi brotherhood? How would it feel to be immersed within the vibrancy of a Taoist festival procession? Or hear Byzantine prayers sung in the language that Jesus spoke? These are just some of the experiences that you will encounter at this year’s festival.

There is much to appreciate in this rich diversity of sounds. The nature of these sounds also expresses something deeply human because they were never intended for mere consumption. Rather, they are unfiltered supplications and calls directed towards higher powers. Rooted in the universality of the human experience—our needs, fears and joys—these sounds have the power to resonate within all of us, if we open our hearts to them.

In this fractious world that we live in, the coming-together of people from different faith communities to share their sacred songs and music is a precious one. As conflict and polarisation continue to divide people, the need to acknowledge and celebrate our common humanity is now greater than ever.

We hope that through the performances at A Tapestry of Sacred Music, you will find moments of comfort, connection and rejuvenation—experiences that help us to momentarily zoom out from worldly anxieties and remind us of our universal kinship.

Tan XiangHui
Senior Producer, The Esplanade Co Ltd