Chamber music concerts presented by the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra in the churches and concert halls of Old Riga are for everyone who, right after the grand fireworks of Latvia’s centenary celebrations, wants an hour of extraordinary calm in the company of beautiful music and outstanding musicians.
Nine concerts in places of Old Riga marked by the breath of history – the majestic Riga Cathedral with its world-famous organ, the stately, mysterious St Peter’s Church, the vaulted, colonnaded halls of medieval buildings, churches and secular buildings.
Nine wonderful concert programmes are dominated by Latvia’s finest composers from the early 20th century to the present day. Alongside them – world-class geniuses Johannes Brahms, Antonín Dvořák, Arvo Pärt, Richard Strauss.
The performers are Latvia’s finest soloists, several of whom are also known and sought-after beyond Latvia’s borders.
18 November. Riga. Latvia’s birthday fireworks have come to a triumphant end, but no one wants to go home yet. That evening, long after the fireworks are over, Riga will go on celebrating the great festivities of its jubilee, and everyone who wishes to step away for a moment from the crowded streets to enjoy beautiful music performed by the finest artists, in philharmonic silence and a cosy atmosphere, will be warmly welcomed at the LNSO’s chamber music concerts in the churches and concert halls of Old Riga.
The concert experience will be enhanced by an unconventional colour-and-light scenography by artists Ieva Jurjāne and Mārtiņš Feldmanis.
IN CHURCHES
At Riga Cathedral soprano Gunta Gelgote will sing, trumpeter Jānis Porietis will play, along with organist Ligita Sneibe and the “DD orchestra” under conductor Jānis Liepiņš.
St Peter’s Church’s vaults will host the percussion quintet Perpetuum ritmico.
At St John’s Church violinist Raimonds Ozols, organist Liene Andreta Kalnciema and the vocal ensemble Anima solla will perform.
At the Reformed Church Latvian National Opera soloist Rihards Millers will sing popular, heartfelt solo songs, joined by outstanding instrumentalists gathered by pianist Agnese Egliņa.
At the Anglican Church violinist Ilze Kirsanova, singer Irma Pavāre and organist Jānis Karpovičs will perform.
At St Mary Magdalene’s Church singer Evija Martinsone, flautist Ilze Urbāne, violist Jevgenija Gorbunova and organist Jolanta Barinska will perform.
IN CONCERT HALLS
At the Great Guild’s Munster Hall we will meet a classic chamber ensemble – the LNSO String Quartet, whose programme features music by Tālivaldis Ķeniņš, next year’s great jubilee composer.
At the Column Hall of the Riga History and Navigation Museum a brilliant ensemble of friends will play – the piano quartet RIX together with the brilliant flautist Dita Krenberga.
At the Zirgu Street Concert Hall a programme of five colourful meditations will be presented by the trio NYX.
Free admission. Invitations available at the concert venue from 8.00 pm.
Full programmehere.