Inese Galante: “There is only one language, one drug that almost everyone understands. A language that doesn’t need translation – and that’s music.”
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Diāna Jance, “Kultūrzīmes”, JSC “Latvijas Mediji”
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“Cultural signs” have met Latvian opera diva Inesi Galanti many times, and the singer surprises each of them. It is also one of her favorite words – surprise. On the eve of the festival “Summertime – invites Inese Galante”, which will take place from tomorrow, August 10 to Sunday, August 13, one is surprised by her genuine joy and excitement about the upcoming concerts and very special guests, whom the artist speaks of as close and dear friends.
This year, the artist especially invites you to attend the competition on Sunday of the festival, where the young and bright talents of Inese Galante will perform. More about the concert program and why the festival “Summertime – invites Inese Galante” will be played for the last time this year, the artist tells in the conversation.
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– How was the year since the previous “Summertime”?
I. Galante: – A lot is happening, and nothing is standing still, but it is a pity that everything is covered with what is happening in the neighboring country, it has taken too much influence. Thank God that the pandemic was over and the rather active life of artists resumed, but then something else happened. It’s hard not to think about it, news, thoughts, reflections come from all over the world. I remember what my parents and grandparents used to say. At the “Summertime” festival, we want listeners to be able to switch off, be energized and not give up. We all know that those who surrender to circumstances, to everything that happens around them, lose. If you are not satisfied with life, it will pass you by. This is a time when optimism is especially needed, we all need confidence that we will get through everything difficult. Moreover, this belief is necessary for all generations, elders can be given ease by beautiful musical memories, their great-grandchildren need something completely different, but ease and a smile are needed by everyone. I believe that reason, love and hearts will win, they will destroy evil.
We, the artists, try to continue our work, for the eighth year we held the “Talents of Inese Galante” competition, there were wonderful Christmas concerts almost at the same time, besides, we have been holding the “Summertime” festival all this time. There were also concerts in Austria, Germany, however, I consider the preparation for the festival to be the biggest event of the year.
– What concerts await us this year?
– Already on Thursday (August 10) we will hear our famous, beloved pianists. Each of them is a big personality and celebrity; I can’t even imagine that pianists of this level would want to play in a joint concert. They will play individually, as a duo and even as a foursome, there will be other surprises. All five are very professional, each with their own face, saying and name in the world. Although they are still very young, they have gained attention abroad as bright and very excellent artists. Andrejs Osokins, Reinis Zariņš and Daumants Liepiņš, who once won first place in “Inese Galante’s talents”. I remember, even then I predicted a great future for Daumant. There will also be little princess Aurelija Šimkus, about whom I was once told – her brother is big and very promising, but – what a sister he is growing up with! There will be wonderful competition at the concert! And then our laureate will play, whom I won’t name yet, although the audience probably guesses it – let it be another surprise!
It was not easy to get all five of them to perform on the same stage, I would even call it a victory. They all have brilliant imaginations, I’d say the concert will be beyond incredible. It can be called a completely crazy idea, but with really great energy, my daughter Diana managed to get the consent of the artists. I hope it will bring great enjoyment and pleasure to the listeners. It will be an unprecedented event, the like of which can be imagined in pop music, also in opera, but it is not so easy among pianists! Everyone already wants to show themselves as well as they can, but in such a combination it will really be an unparalleled event!
The next evening, the king of Balkan rhythms, Shantel, will perform with his “The Bucovina Club Orkestar” from Germany. Shantel is already known in Latvia, so far it is very rare that an artist has performed on our stage two years in a row. We usually suggest that we need a break because we always want to surprise our audience by bringing something different, new, but Shantel got a huge response last year, and there will be another program. People need the vitamin of happiness! And Shantel is able to create and give it to our visitors. Last year, I personally experienced how passionately people danced – their legs and arms were in the air, they couldn’t sit still! This musician is a man of the world, a cosmopolitan. Of course, a surprise is also expected at this concert, it will be performed together with our Latvian artists. I will mention only one name – Daugaviete. When she performs, the presence and power of the cellist is mesmerizing, her playing is so lush! A very interesting program has been invented. But here I mentioned only one name, there will be several, and the program will be unexpected!
– You say that artists are almost competing to go to “Summertime”, what is this attraction?
– Those who wanted to ride again are very excited by our fantastic, knowledgeable and sophisticated audience. Also our Latvia – food, beauty, elegance, people, all my invited musicians had everything in their hearts!
On the third day of the festival, there will be two concerts – the first “Viva l’amore!”, in which I and my friends participate. The first is the outstanding Ukrainian bass Aleksandru Tsimbalyuks, who regularly performs on the stages of international opera houses – the Metropolitan Opera in New York, “La Scala” in Milan, the National Opera in Paris, Covent Garden and elsewhere. He will be accompanied by our laureate Daumants Liepiņš as concert master. There will also be Greta Erharter-Sargsyan, a guest from Austria who has been to Latvia before. Another laureate of “Ines Galante’s talents”, tenor Artyom Safronov, has been singing very successfully in our opera for several years.
Later in the evening, “Viva l`Italia!” with Rafael Gwalazzi, who is one of the most successful Italian musicians in the jazz-blues genre. A unique combination of the ear caressing Italian sound, the artist’s charisma and melodic jazz rhythms will allow the listeners to get into the golden sun of the Ligurian coast and feel a chilled glass of prosecco in their hands… His authentic sound is rooted in his education at the Pesaro Conservatory of Gioacchino Rossini, his further immersion in reggae and early New Orleans jazz and his love for to more contemporary artists such as Jamiroquai, Stevie Wonder and Ben Harper.
On the other hand, a concert of young talents is expected on Sunday, it is an innovation and premiere at the festival – for the first time, a concert will be organized only for bright talents to give them the opportunity to experience the big stage and the profession of a musician. The young musicians promise to fascinate and surprise the audience with their bright talent and skill, so that everyone feels proud of the country’s creative potential.
And then the final concert “Rendezvous with Marlene Dietrich” will come. At the beginning of her career, Úti Lemper was often compared with another famous German strong woman – Marlene Dietrich. There is an interesting story about this program. Úte wrote a letter in which she apologized to the legendary actress and singer for these constant comparisons. After receiving the letter, the diva called the young singer, and the two agreed on the phone for three hours. It was an incredible story that later became the basis of the show.
Úte Lempere’s career has no boundaries, she has conquered any genre: in theater, acted in movies, performed in concerts, recorded unique music albums. She has been applauded for her performance of “Songs of the Berlin Cabaret”, compositions by Kurt Weill and Bertold Brecht, French chansons by Marlene Dietrich, Edith Piaf, Jacques Brel, Leo Ferré, Jacques Préver, Nino Roth, Astor Piazzolla and many others, as well as her own compositions. This last concert is especially important for me, because I really want to remind our audience about strong women.
– But why is this the last “Summertime”?
– All these years, the festival has been associated with my daughter Diana Galanti, and it gradually took over almost all of her time. I once asked for her help for a few years, because my daughter has a profession that is as dear and necessary to her as I am to my work as a singer. She is a stylist, fashion designer, has worked a lot with photographers, Hollywood stars. Back then, when I started Summertime, I pulled her to my side, but that doesn’t mean she gave up her own work. However, working as a producer for Summertime, Diana cannot devote enough attention to her profession, the foundation requires constant attention.
– What will be the future of “Summertime”?
– We call this the last “Summertime” festival, to which, as usual, Inese Galante invites. Maybe we will continue these concerts in a different format, we are still discussing various ideas and thoughts. Then we’ll see, let the intrigue remain! The foundation will continue to work, the concerts will remain, Inese Galante’s talents will remain.
– We heard that “Summertime” has a very special audience…
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– We always think about it and do not take into account the usual division – young or old, we want our concerts to be intended and available for the family, so that they are a family holiday. I am so grateful to my loyal and so loving audience, who have known and loved me since the days of my thesis and always remember my “Traviata”! I have received so much trust, love, gratitude, and the same has arisen in me, so I especially want to give my audience these very special concerts. A person needs a feeling of happiness, energy, optimism, surprise, good mood, emotions. We try to provide the most interesting program. I wish everyone to be happy every day, stay optimistic, love each other and don’t miss those who are having a hard time. Try to support each other, not be aggressive and selfish. Let there be peace, let us try to hear each other, because life is long and beautiful, but it is not indefinite.
I would like people to understand that there is only one language, one medicine that everyone understands. A language that does not need translation – and that is music. It is enough for everyone, it does not end and will not end.
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2023-08-09 12:03:50
#People #vitamin #happiness #conversation #Latvian #opera #diva #Inesi #Galanti