Riga to Host Concert Bridging Latvian Vocal Music’s Past and Future
Riga, Latvia – A concert series spotlighting Latvian vocal chamber music, featuring both premieres and works by celebrated composer Emīls Dārziņš, launches this month at the Latvian National Opera and Ballet (LNOB). The inaugural performance, titled “sasaukšanas” (Evocations), will be held on November 16th and aims to foster appreciation for Latvian composers and poetry through intimate chamber settings.
The concert series is driven by a desire to champion latvian musical heritage, as articulated by artistic director Ilze Ozoliņa: “It is Latvian chamber music that will sing it, because who else will sing it, if not we – Latvian musicians.” The November 16th program includes the premiere of Anna Veismane’s vocal cycle set to poetry by Kārlis Skalbe, performed by Mārtiņš Šmaukstelis. Soprano Inga Šļubovska-Kancēviča will interpret Arthur Muscat’s Triptiham with poetry by Fritz Beard, while mezzo-soprano Irma Cook performs Peter Plakid’s cycle of three poems by Ojārs Vācietis. Bass Edgar Oshley will present Robert Liede’s romantic compositions featuring the poetry of Laimonis Kamar, Vilis Plūdonis, and Ojārs Vācietis. All soloists will also perform selections from the works of Emīls Dārziņš. The concert will be hosted by Liene Jakovlev.
Veismane described her inspiration, stating, “Songs with the words of Karl Skalbe were made last summer when I went through Piebalgs from Madona, watching Latvian landscapes and imagining the course of the early 20th century musicians and writers. Poetry – spontaneously and directly.”
Following “Sasaukšanas,” the LNOB chamber music series continues with “Soul Frequency: Chopin” on November 29th, featuring singers Brigita Reisson and Mikhail Chulpayev, cellist Dace Zalīte-Zilberte, and pianist edgar tomševics.A concert honoring pianist Mārtiņš Zilberts will be held on December 8th, and a Valentine’s Day performance on February 14th will showcase singers Ilze Grēvele-Skaraine and Rihards Miller, alongside pianist Eric Miller.
Tickets are available at the LNOB box office and online: https://www.opera.lv/lv/izrade/sasauksanas/.
