Dresden (dpa / sn) – Martin Lehmann is the new director of the Dresden Kreuzchor. On the occasion of the Michaelis Festival, the Evangelical regional bishop Tobias Bilz introduced him to his new office in the vespers of the choir on Saturday, as a spokesman for the Evangelical Lutheran regional church told the German Press Agency on Sunday. The 49-year-old is the 29th Kreuzkantor after the Reformation and successor to Roderich Kreile, who retired in July after 25 years.
Under his direction, the choir boys perform works by Johann Sebastian Bach, Gottfried August Homilius, Heinrich Schütz and Oskar Wermann in their home, the Kreuzkirche. In addition, the Dresden composer Wilfried Krätzschmar, who will be present in person, composed an introit especially for Vespers.
It is a particular pleasure for him to lead the choir, said Lehmann, who has been working with the Crucians since August, according to the announcement. It’s “a give and take”. He officially took office on September 1st. Bishop Bilz wished him God’s blessings, strength and inspirational ideas. Lehmann was a Crucian himself as a student, studied in Dresden and most recently directed the Windsbach Boys’ Choir.
Founded in 1216, the Dresdner Kreuzchor is one of the most renowned boys’ choirs in Germany and is a municipal institution. Up to 140 singers between the ages of 9 and 19 belong to it. The ensemble organizes church services, vespers and musical life in the Kreuzkirche, the repertoire ranges from early baroque to world premieres of contemporary music. There are also sound recordings, appearances with the Saxon State Orchestra and tours at home and abroad – also as ambassadors for the city.
