Vana Tallinn Baltic Opera Gala brings together leading soloists from the three countries
The inaugural Vana Tallinn Baltic Opera Gala brought leading soloists from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania together on stage at the Estonian National Opera and Ballet on 4 September. The gala marked the beginning of a new annual collaboration that will rotate between the three Baltic countries.
“The Baltic Opera Gala was established under a cultural cooperation agreement signed last year by the national opera companies of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to expand creative collaboration and introduce audiences to the finest opera and musical talent from across the Baltics. The programme was jointly devised by the chief conductors of the three opera houses – Arvo Volmer, Mārtiņš Ozoliņš and Ričardas Šumila. While the Baltic Opera Gala will take place in a different country each year, the Vana Tallinn Gala will remain an annual tradition for opera audiences here in Estonia,” said Ott Maaten, General Manager of the Estonian National Opera.
The gala line-up included Estonian soprano Kadri Raalik, bass Raiko Raalik and tenor Yixuan Wang, Lithuanian soprano Gabrielė Bukinė and baritone Steponas Zonys, and Latvian mezzo-soprano Irma Pavāre and tenor Mārtiņš Šmaukstelis. They were joined on stage by the Estonian National Opera Orchestra and Chorus, with Arvo Volmer conducting.
“I am delighted that the inaugural Baltic Opera Gala bore the name of Vana Tallinn, Estonia’s signature drink, and offered the first glimpse of its new bottle and design. Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania together form the home market for many companies, including Liviko, and each has a distinctive culture with much to discover. I am confident that these gala evenings in Tallinn, Vilnius and Riga will create lasting memories and bring us even closer to our neighbours. I wish this new tradition a long and successful future,” said Enn Kunila, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Liviko.
The next Baltic Opera Gala will take place in Lithuania on 8 May 2027. The Vana Tallinn Gala will return to the Estonian National Opera in late summer 2027.
Gallery: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/qr1ik0ngfr67eyetsh29k/AEs5SWeUUo5FLW0G-ebiiIY?rlkey=r34cc97xtu3frtkrjfjnpobnp&st=h6k8jojp&dl=0 (photographers Erlend Štaub and Kalev Lilleorg)
A recording of the concert will be broadcast on national television in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
Liviko has been a major supporter of the Estonian National Opera since 2012, and the Vana Tallinn Gala tradition was established the following year. In addition to the National Opera, Liviko supports the Art Museum of Estonia, the Estonian Artists’ Association, the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, Eesti Kontsert, the Estonian Writers’ Union novel competition and several other major cultural events.
Photographer: Erlend Štaub
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