The Andrejs Žagars Cultural Development Foundation presents: CONVERSATIONS. About Marina Rebeka
The Andrejs Žagars Cultural Development Foundation presents a conversation evening dedicated to one of the world’s leading sopranos, Marina Rebeka. The foundation’s artistic director, composer Arturs Maskats, will open the conversation evening with an introduction, and singer and Doctor of Vocal Arts (JVLMA) Viktorija Majore will follow with a story she has prepared about Marina Rebeka.
Viktorija Majore has prepared a story about Marina Rebeka’s musical journey, featuring exclusive stories shared with the event organisers by the songstress herself.
The conversations about Marina Rebeka will take place before the concerts organised by the Andrejs Žagars Cultural Development Foundation “MARINA REBEKA. SOLO CONCERT. Friends to Andrejs Žagars” in Cēsis (October 18th) and the Latvian National Opera (October 21st).
Arturs Maskats, artistic director of the Andrejs Žagars Cultural Development Foundation: “Marina Rebeka is one of the greatest opera stars in the world right now. She entices with her euphonious voice – made for classical opera music – her perfect singing, and her genuine, alluring charm and aristocratic presence. Opera houses around the world are delighted to invite Marina to their performances, and we at the Andrejs Žagars Cultural Development Foundation are equally as delighted to host the excellent Latvian singer here in her homeland.”
The Andrejs Žagars Cultural Development Foundation has been presenting exclusive musical events to the Latvian public for 11 years, with a particular focus on showcasing internationally acclaimed Latvian talents discovered and supported by Andrejs Žagars. His friends and associates – united in the foundation – continue what he started. Every artist’s journey is worth telling the story of, and the Andrejs Žagars Cultural Development Foundation aims to introduce many special musical personalities to friends in Latvia. This evening, which will be dedicated to opera singer Marina Rebeka, the foundation will mark the beginning of a conversation series dedicated to other widely acclaimed Latvian artists. The author of all themes of the evening conversations is Arturs Maskats; events moderated by Agnese Vārpiņa, communications project manager of the Andrejs Žagars Cultural Development Foundation.
Marina Rebeka is one of the leading opera stars of our time. Since her performance at the Salzburg festival in 2009, led by conductor Riccardo Muti, Marina has numerously performed at the world’s most prestigious opera houses and concert halls, such as Teatro alla Scala of Milan, Opéra Bastille in Paris, The Metropolitan Opera in New York City, the Royal Opera House at Covent Garden in London, the Bavarian State Opera in Munich, the Vienna State Opera and the Zürich Opera House.
The singer collaborates with leading conductors, such as Riccardo Muti, Zubin Mehta, Antonio Pappano, Fabio Luisi, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Daniele Gatti and others.
Being an active and widely renowned singer, Marina Rebeka has performed solo concerts in many of the world’s prestigious concert halls.
The songstress opened the 2024/2025 season with a debut in the role of Lida in Verdi’s The Battle of Legnano at the Parma opera house and a return to the San Carlo theatre in Naples, taking on the role of Maria in Verdi’s Simon Boccanegra. In succession, the title role in two productions of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly at the Vienna State Opera and the Zürich Opera House respectively. Marina Rebeka will make her debut in the role of Elisabeth in a production of Verdi’s Don Carlos at the Opéra Bastille in Paris.
This year, Marina Rebeka gave a triumphant performance at Teatro alla Scala of Milan in the title role of Vincenzo Bellini’s opera Norma. The opera returned to the house’s repertoire after a forty-year absence. In the 1970s, it was performed by the excellent Montserrat Caballé; before her, by the legendary Maria Callas.
Marina Rebeka continues the tradition of genius interpretation of this role at the world-renowned opera house.