Saehyun KIM – piano
Conductor Andris POGA
Programme:
Pēteris VASKS – Song of Gratitude
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN – Piano Concerto No. 4
Antonín DVOŘÁK – Symphony No. 9 (From the New World)
Zanda ŠVĒDE – mezzo-soprano
Maciej KWASNIKOWSKI – tenor
State Academic Choir “Latvija” (Artistic Director Māris Sirmais)
Latvian National Symphony Orchestra
Conductor Andris POGA
Programme:
Éric MONTALBETTI – Fragments of the Mass (dedicated to La Chaise‑Dieu) Commission of the La Chaise‑Dieu Festival, world premiere
Johannes BRAHMS – Alto Rhapsody, Op. 53, and Schicksalslied (Song of Destiny), Op. 54
State Academic Choir “Latvija” (artistic director Māris Sirmais)
Latvian National Symphony Orchestra
Conductor Daniels KAVKA (Daniel Kawka)
Programme:
Carl ORFF – Carmina Burana
From 19 to 22 August, the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra and the State Academic Choir “Latvija” will travel to France to perform at the Berlioz Festival and the La Chaise-Dieu Festival.
Lohengrin – Johan Krogius (Finland)
Elsa – Vida Miknevičiūtė (Lithuania)
Ortrud – Tuija Knihtila (Finland)
Friedrich – Markus Marquardt (Germany)
Heinrich – Timo Riihonen (Finland)
The King’s Herald – Rihards Mačanovskis (Latvia)
The State Academic Choir “Latvija”
The Latvian National Symphony Orchestra
Conductor: Tarmo Peltokoski
The Cēsis Art Festival and the Cēsis Concert Hall continue the now traditional Cēsis Wagneriana series with a concert performance of the powerful opera Lohengrin by the great German opera composer Richard Wagner. As always, the stage will bring together an outstanding cast of soloists, the State Choir LATVIJA, and the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra under the baton of the brilliant Finnish conductor and passionate Wagner interpreter Tarmo Peltokoski.
Alongside opera diva Vida Miknevičiūtė as Elsa, the concert performance will feature the young Finnish opera star Johan Krogius, making his debut in the demanding role of Lohengrin.
Elsa, daughter of the Count of Brabant, stands accused of murdering her brother Gottfried. Though her beauty and sincerity cast doubt on her guilt, King Heinrich decrees that the truth will be determined by a duel. But who will have enough faith and courage to raise a sword in her defence? Elsa entrusts her salvation to a mysterious knight seen in a dream. Then comes a miracle – a boat drawn by a swan in golden chains appears upon the lake, carrying the knight. He promises to defend Elsa and asks her hand in marriage, should he be victorious. There is only one condition: the girl must never ask his name or where he comes from. Elsa agrees. In the ensuing duel, the knight defeats Count Friedrich with a single sword strike. The couple prepare for the wedding and even get married, yet the evil Ortrud sows doubt in Elsa’s heart. Unable to resist, the girl breaks her vow and asks the forbidden questions. Betrayed by his beloved, the knight reveals himself as Lohengrin, son of Parsifal and Knight of the Holy Grail. Now that his secret is exposed, he must depart. Before he leaves, Ortrud confesses that she transformed Elsa’s brother Gottfried into the swan. The bird’s golden chains break; Gottfried is restored and will become the new leader. Elsa rejoices at her brother’s return, but the love of her life Lohengrin is already gone…
Lohengrin – Johan Krogius (Finland)
Elsa – Vida Miknevičiūtė (Lithuania)
Ortrud – Tuija Knihtila (Finland)
Friedrich – Markus Marquardt (Germany)
Heinrich – Timo Riihonen (Finland)
The King’s Herald – Rihards Mačanovskis (Latvia)
The State Academic Choir “Latvija”
The Latvian National Symphony Orchestra
Conductor: Tarmo Peltokoski
The Cēsis Art Festival and the Cēsis Concert Hall continue the now traditional Cēsis Wagneriana series with a concert performance of the powerful opera Lohengrin by the great German opera composer Richard Wagner. As always, the stage will bring together an outstanding cast of soloists, the State Choir LATVIJA, and the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra under the baton of the brilliant Finnish conductor and passionate Wagner interpreter Tarmo Peltokoski.
Alongside opera diva Vida Miknevičiūtė as Elsa, the concert performance will feature the young Finnish opera star Johan Krogius, making his debut in the demanding role of Lohengrin.
Elsa, daughter of the Count of Brabant, stands accused of murdering her brother Gottfried. Though her beauty and sincerity cast doubt on her guilt, King Heinrich decrees that the truth will be determined by a duel. But who will have enough faith and courage to raise a sword in her defence? Elsa entrusts her salvation to a mysterious knight seen in a dream. Then comes a miracle – a boat drawn by a swan in golden chains appears upon the lake, carrying the knight. He promises to defend Elsa and asks her hand in marriage, should he be victorious. There is only one condition: the girl must never ask his name or where he comes from. Elsa agrees. In the ensuing duel, the knight defeats Count Friedrich with a single sword strike. The couple prepare for the wedding and even get married, yet the evil Ortrud sows doubt in Elsa’s heart. Unable to resist, the girl breaks her vow and asks the forbidden questions. Betrayed by his beloved, the knight reveals himself as Lohengrin, son of Parsifal and Knight of the Holy Grail. Now that his secret is exposed, he must depart. Before he leaves, Ortrud confesses that she transformed Elsa’s brother Gottfried into the swan. The bird’s golden chains break; Gottfried is restored and will become the new leader. Elsa rejoices at her brother’s return, but the love of her life Lohengrin is already gone…
Hans Christian AAVIK – violin
Conductor KRISTIINA POSKA
Programme:
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN Violin Concerto
Pēteris VASKS Symphony no. 2
We close the season with one of Beethoven’s most radiant scores often associated with blissful love in the composer’s life – his brilliant Violin Concerto – with the Estonian violinist Hans Christian Aavik as soloist. The concert also presents Pēteris Vasks’ imposing Second Symphony, dating from the late nineties – a work of powerful surges and contemplative depth. At the conductor’s podium – Kristīna Poska, beloved by the orchestra and audiences alike.
Santa VIŽINE – viola
Kristīne BLAUMANE – cello
Conductor Aivis GRETERS
Programme:
Richard STRAUSS Don Quixote
Anton WEBERN Six Pieces for Orchestra op. 6
Maija EINFELDE And a Tricolour Sun Shines on Everything
Benjamin BRITTEN Four Sea Interludes from the opera Peter Grimes
For her final concert as the LNSO Artist-in-Residence, cellist Kristīne Blaumane joins the orchestra and violist Santa Vižine under the baton of Aivis Greters to present Miguel de Cervantes’ famous knight and his extraordinary adventures through Richard Strauss’ score. The programme also features symphonic opuses by Maija Einfelde, Anton Webern, and Benjamin Britten.