July 2 festival Riga Jurmala announced that leading orchestral musicians from the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra, Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra and Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra have joined forces to honor the prominent Latvian conductor Maris Jansons.
The newly formed Maris Jansons Festival Orchestra will make its debut under the direction of conductor John Eliot Gardiner at the festival. Riga Jurmala opening weekend (16-18 July), replacing the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra.
The Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra canceled its performance at the festival due to Covid-19, but at the initiative of its members a new orchestra was formed, consisting of six musicians from different groups, with great respect for Maris Janson. With the support of Marisa Janson’s wife Irina Jansone, the orchestra has been renamed the Marisa Janson Festival Orchestra.
“Mariss really loved the musicians of all his orchestras, and the musicians loved him. This mutual emotional connection was felt in every concert,” says Irina Jansone. “Mariss admired Claudio Abbado and his festival orchestra and had always wanted to create something similar. This moment means a lot to me – the moment when Marisa’s wishes have been fulfilled,” adds Irina Jansone.
Maris Jansons Festival Orchestra conducted by John Eliot Gardiner will perform Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s operas in Dzintari Concert Hall on July 16 Don Juan overture, Mozart’s Twentieth Piano Concerto (soloist Yuidzya Van) and Robert Schuman’s Second Symphony, while on July 18 the Dzintari Concert Hall will feature Robert Schuman’s Piano Concerto (soloist András Šifs) and Johannes Brahms’ First Symphony.
Thomas Reif, concertmaster of the Maris Janson Festival Orchestra and the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, says: “We are honored and happy to create an orchestra dedicated to our beloved Maris Janson. at the music festival “Riga Jurmala” gives us all hope. “
“Any last-minute change in the festival’s program is a difficult task, especially if membership is canceled by one of Europe’s leading orchestras,” he said. Riga Jurmala artistic director Martin Engström. “We understand the decision of the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and look forward to returning to full orchestra next season. We are incredibly moved by the selflessness and dedication with which the orchestra’s musicians have taken the initiative. and we look forward to the new orchestra performing at the festival Riga Jurmala stage. “
Concert attendance information
Taking care of the health and safety of the festival visitors, artists and the team, the festival organizers have decided that the concerts can be attended on the first weekend from July 16 to 18 by presenting a valid certificate of completed vaccination or Covid-19 disease – in digital or printed format. .
Subject to these safety rules, concert attendees and musicians will not be required to wear masks or observe physical distance. Thus, the capacity of all concerts is increased to 100% capacity, and tickets for open seats can be purchased from July 2.
Existing ticket holders are already aware of the possibilities and conditions for refunding purchased tickets. The organizers of the festival will continue to closely monitor the situation, adjusting the ticket sales policy and the course of events in accordance with the decisions made by the government. Changes or decisions will be announced 14 days before each subsequent festival weekend.
Information about tickets and attendance rules is available on the festival website www.riga-jurmala.com.
“For the festival to take place, we must adhere to all safety precautions, while keeping in mind the experience of artists and concert goers. We must be flexible and open to any changes, government decisions and other circumstances related to Covid-19. I am grateful to our artists, supporters and There is no doubt that the summer of this festival will be full of surprises and the newly established festival orchestra dedicated to Maris Janson will be one of them, “says the festival. Riga Jurmala Executive Director Zane Čulkstēna.
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