Cappella Romana Aims to Reschedule Concert before His All-Holiness, Bartholomew I, Archbishop of Constantinople, New Rome, and Ecumenical Patriarch


In February of this year, Cappella Romana received an invitation from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America to sing for His All-Holiness, Bartholomew I, Archbishop of Constantinople, New Rome, and Ecumenical Patriarch.

The concert was to take place in May at the University of Notre Dame where the “Green Patriarch” was to receive an honorary doctorate for His All-Holiness’s tireless work towards “environmentalism as a spiritual responsibility” (Time Magazine). 

Cappella Romana, with members of the Delgani String Quartet, planned to perform Robert Kyr’s environmental oratorio A Time for Life, inspired by the Ecumenical Patriarch. Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, the Patriarch’s visit and the concert will not happen at this time. The work was also to have been performed in the Bay Area on the same weekend.

When the world is safe again, Cappella Romana hopes A Time for Life can be performed with an even deeper impact.

“Ever since the environmental initiatives of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I inspired Robert Kyr to compose A Time for Life, the members of Cappella Romana have hoped to perform this moving oratorio in the presence of His All-Holiness,” said Alexander Lingas, Cappella Romana Music Director and Founder. “Although postponed due to the present crisis, we continue to look forward to that blessed occasion.”

CD of A Time for Life available here.