Marina Rebeka Performs Solo Concerts in Cēsis and at the Opera
Two solo concerts by the world-renowned opera singer Marina Rebeka, organised in Latvia by the Andrejs Žagars Cultural Development Foundation, have concluded with heartfelt standing ovations and thunderous applause.
This past weekend the concert titled “MARINA REBEKA Solo Concert. Friends to Andrejs Žagars” brought joy to musical friends at the Vidzeme Concert Hall “Cēsis”, but yesterday it delighted the audience at the Latvian National Opera.
The traditional opera gala concert “Friends to Andrejs Žagars” is organised in close collaboration with the Vidzeme Concert Hall “Cēsis” and the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra. This year marked the seventh time it took place, featuring an extra concert at the opera. The Latvian National Symphony Orchestra performed under the baton of the distinguished Italian conductor Michele Gamba, a great friend and colleague of the opera singer. He is currently regarded as one of the most versatile musical interpreters, consistently receiving praise from audiences and critics alike. In the first half of the singer’s solo concert, music from Giuseppe Verdi’s operas was performed; however the second half was dedicated to another great Italian opera composer – Giacomo Puccini.
At the conclusion of yesterday’s concert at the Opera, the Latvian opera diva was awarded the Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. The French order, instituted in 1957, honours individuals whose creative works have brought significant contribution to the arts and literature, or who have helped advance the prestige of French culture worldwide.
The Andrejs Žagars Cultural Development Foundation continues the mission of its founder Andrejs Žagars – the organisation of landmark cultural events. The main idea behind the concert cycle “Friends to Andrejs Žagars” is to invite opera soloists whose international careers were shaped by working with Andrejs Žagars – whether as a stage director, as head of the Latvian National Opera, or as a driving force in Latvian musical life – as well as independent artists with whom he has realised creative projects, to perform in Latvia. The concerts take place around the time of Andrejs Žagars’s birthday, which would have been on October 16th. This year’s concerts “Friends to Andrejs Žagars” were realised with the support of “Latvijas Gāze” and Signet Bank.
“I will always hold Lucia di Lammermoor in my heart – an event in which Andrejs Žagars’s direction met Marina Rebeka’s voice in the truth of the human fragility. It was beauty that pained and healed simultaneously. This concert was like a reunion – a moment in which his soul reconnected with his beloved world: music, light, and the people who still feel,” says Irīna Pīgozne, co-owner of Signet Bank.
The Andrejs Žagars Cultural Development Foundation is proud of the collaboration with the Latvian Public Media, which gave every admirer of the singer’s talent the opportunity to experience “MARINA REBEKA Solo Concert. Friends to Andrejs Žagars” live on Latvijas Radio 3 “Klasika”. The exclusive and emotionally rich concert was also recorded by Latvian Television.
