After a series of deeply rewarding musical encounters in the Armand Trousseau and Necker pediatric hospitals in Paris, followed by a project developed for the conservatories of the Centre–Val d’Oise region, the Multilatérale Ensemble will fill the Abbey of Royaumont with lullabies and folk songs. At the heart of this project lies a new orchestration of traditional songs from around the world.

The backbone of the programme is built around the sublime and indispensable Folk Songs by Luciano Berio, which resonate in dialogue with Mahler’s lullabies from Des Knaben Wunderhorn, partially reorchestrated by the Swedish composer Jonatan Sersam.

This project unfolds around three major, interconnected pillars.
First, six lieder from Des Knaben Wunderhorn by Gustav Mahler, specially reorchestrated for voice and ensemble by Jonatan Sersam, offer a contemporary rereading of these jewels of the Romantic repertoire.
Next, a new work by Jonatan Sersam, jointly commissioned by the Abbey of Royaumont and Multilatérale, intertwines with Mahler’s lieder, creating a subtle dialogue between their musical worlds.
Finally, Luciano Berio’s celebrated Folk Songs bring this musical journey to a close, transcending cultural and musical boundaries to offer a vibrant tribute to popular traditions.