As if the war tearing Europe apart was not enough, in the last weeks, the theatres of the continent seem to show us how unfriendly and deeply political our industry is. In several areas, quite irrespectively and for various reasons (worthy or not), the state authorities interfere in the affairs of theaters. Lithuanian National Opera workers are still protesting against {…}
(Photo credits Joana Suslavičiūtė) On February 1, the Ministry of Culture announced that Laima Vilimienė, who is currently a Head of the Klaipėda State Music Theater and previously worked for many years as Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theater’s deputy general director for marketing, won the competition for the position of director of the LNOBT. The end of the contract {…}
Just before the New Year celebration, the Lithuanian capital was seething with indignation and anger : one of the most famous Lithuanian singers in the world, Kristian Benedikt, had participated in the Christmas concert at the Bolshoi Theatre in Minsk. It was not the most understandable and logical decision on the part of the Lithuanian tenor, especially at a time {…}
(Photo: Martynas Aleksa) On a cold rainy day, we attended an operatic event taking place outside the ArtVilnius fair pavilion. Though there were some performances before, people still came to the Opera Truck in dozens. The interest was high, and now, the well-proven production set on tour around Lithuania. The events were free of charge and supposed to pave the {…}
At a press conference that took place two days prior to the opening night, Sesto Quatrini, the art-director of LNOBT and musical director of this production, stood there all alone. One could not fault him if he had been in a cautious mood. After all, he had to contend with postponed premieres, the constant closing of the theater, and a {…}
It was a hot summer afternoon and the journalists gathered in the shadow of Lithuanian National Opera’s massive building. Here, LNOBT art-director Sesto Quatrini, general manager Jonas Sakalauskas, principal conductor Ričardas Šumila, and choreographer Martynas Rimeikis are preparing to reveal a new season’s program. Everything gets off to a great start. Nothing reminds us of the global crisis still raging {…}
Credits: Lithuanian National Opera Every year the Lithuanian Nation Opera starts the festive season with “Die Fledermaus.” The timeless production by Gediminas Šeduikis always causes laughter and a good mood, so the operetta remains in repertory yearly since its premiere back in 2016. But before we talk about the novelty of this year’s performances, it is essential to note that {…}