Last weekend the main event in Latvian music life – the XIX International Opera Festival – was held in Sigulda. The festival brought together numerous world renowned opera artists and more than 10 thousand spectators. According to the critics who attended the festival, it was one of the best opera music open-air festivals in Europe. The official partner bank of the festival was Rietumu Bank. The festival took place in one of the most beautiful places of Latvia – on the Sigulda’s open-air stage that is situated in the middle of the well-preserved medieval architecture monuments and spectacular natural landscape.
As a central event of the festival there was a production of the opera
Eugene Onegin by P I Tchaikovsky set by famous Russian director Yuri Alexandrov. The main roles were performed by outstanding opera artists: Maia Kovalevska (Latvia, soprano), Nathan Gunn (USA, baritone), Maria Gortsevskaya (Russia, mezzo-soprano), Evgeny Akimov (Russia, tenor).
As the final accord of the festival there was the grand gala-concert featuring worldwide famous tenor Pavol Breslik, Maria Gortsevskaya and Evgeny Akimov from Russia, Latvian opera divas Inga Shlyubovskaya and Sonora Vaice, the solist of Latvian National Opera Krisjanis Norvelis. One of the most amazing performances of the gala-concert was “Ave Maria” by young Latvian singer Amanda Bashmakova, which touched the hearts of those present at the concert.
Numerous Latvian and foreign critics praised the professionalism and the refined and elegant choice of the program. The special appreciation was given to the extraordinary high for an open-air festival sound quality and mastery of the orchestra.
Next year, in 2012, Sigulda festival will celebrate an anniversary. Irreplaceable organizer and inspirator dr. Dainis Kalns has already started to work on the next year’s program that promises to be a true pleasure for every opera music lover.
Eleonora Gailisha Mass Media and Public Relations
Phone: +371-67020506
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