“Midsummer Vilnius” is a metropolis competition that takes place within the coronary heart of Vilnius – within the courtyard of the Palace of the Rulers of Lithuania, bringing inventive pleasure to summer time summer time nights. This 12 months, the competition program consists of ten live performance nights, and on the opening occasion the American jazz singer Gregory Porter carried out along with his group and the Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra. Porter’s voice is a velvety baritone, however the best way the songs are sung is classical and narrative. His repertoire consists of each his personal compositions and the very best jazz songbook, and the songs are like good fables in his interpretation. Alternatively, the idea and story of the “Fèis an t’samare” was revealed to LSM by the director and founding father of the competition, Valdas Petrikis.
Gregory Porter’s live performance on the “Midsummer Vilnius” competition.
Photograph: Lukoševičius
Aiga Leitholde: How did the thought of organizing a competition of this kind come about?
Valds Petrikis: I’ve at all times been linked to the performing arts – I used to handle a middle, collaborate with theaters and musical tasks of various types. My feelings and talents have been huge. My objective was to create one thing particular that will mix completely different performing arts and create a world competition providing nice performances. Ten years in the past, we have been fortunate, as a result of this Palace of the Rulers of Lithuania (Lithuanian – Lismore Home of Lords – proper.) barely rebuilt and we have been in a position to make use of it as a competition middle with the slogan that this can be a competition for the guts of town – from the hearts of the folks of the guts of town! Let or not it’s lovely, poetic and appropriate for summer time.
What have been the principle challenges in organizing the competition in these years?
As with all festivals, the challenges initially are monetary. The second factor that must be solved is the best way to introduce the idea of the competition to the general public, the best way to discuss it, the best way to shield it and the best way to adapt it to the wants of the general public. These have been the primary challenges we solved over time – the identify of the competition is well-known, we’re financially steady – we’ve discovered cooperation companions.
Who have been the primary artists to play on the competition and the way did you develop the idea?
The primary headline artist on the 2016 competition was Joss Stone, who sings jazz, blues and pop. She was on a world tour on the time, enjoying with native musicians. It was a wonderful live performance – Stone obtained off the stage, she went barefoot to the viewers.
One of many targets of the competition is to current excellent Lithuanian musicians who’re at present working internationally as opera singers – Asmika Grigoriana, Kosts Smorigins, Edgars Montvids. We additionally collaborate with native pop and rock musicians. We’re at all times in search of one thing distinctive in this system – a spread, an inventive collaboration. As a competition, we wish to be a part of the artistic course of. For instance, final 12 months we created a collaboration between the British musician Fink and the orchestra.
Photograph: Ugnius Bagdonavičius
The tenth competition shall be subsequent 12 months. What’s your imaginative and prescient for the longer term?
Sure, subsequent 12 months we can have a small anniversary. My first objective for this competition was to create a artistic area that will be sustainable and capable of develop in itself. We’re at all times surrounded by artists and musicians who’re able to create one thing lovely – such high quality by no means ends. The world is aware of when a competition has been happening for 60 and 70 years, and it’s my hope and my dream that this competition is alive for me.
How do you fee the cultural supply of Vilnius?
I consider, and there could also be proof for this, that Vilnius is likely one of the most vibrant cultural cities in Europe, and even in the entire world. Every kind of tradition can be found – worldwide and native, numerous festivals and nightlife. The selection is huge and the competitors can be excessive as a result of there’s a lot happening on the similar time. After we began ten years in the past, the cultural life was a lot quieter, however we’re glad that individuals are actively having fun with tradition.
Gregory Porter’s live performance on the “Midsummer Vilnius” competition.
Photograph: Lukoševičius
So far as I’ve seen, Lithuanians are a music-supporting viewers.
It is true. I’ve labored in different nations reminiscent of Switzerland, Nice Britain and France, I can say that Lithuanians are passionate – they see, they like they usually go to pay attention.
I used to be stunned that the Gregory Porter live performance was bought out!
On this case, the cultural facet labored. Typically it occurs that musicians change into well-known in sure locations. The preferred instance is the film “Looking for Sugar Man”, whose fundamental character, the American Rodriguez, was well-known in South Africa. In our case, for instance, Fink will not be well-known within the Baltics, however it is rather widespread in Vilnius. Alternatively, Gregory Porter has carried out a number of occasions on the Kaunas Jazz Competition. At first he sang to 200 folks, however he got here again and got here again. Now he has an viewers of 5000 folks right here, so it’s simple to promote out his live performance. Typically musicians resolve to stay to particular venues the place they’re extra revered somewhat than happening lengthy excursions.
Gregory Porter’s live performance on the “Midsummer Vilnius” competition.
Photograph: Lukoševičius
“Midsummer Vilnius” competition performances may also happen this week: on July 23, accordionist virtuoso Martīns Levickis will carry out with the chamber orchestra “Mikroorkéstra” which he based himself. On July 24, the American a cappella group “Naturally 7” will give a live performance. On July 25, it is possible for you to to expertise the efficiency “Opera Below the Stars”, whereas the singer Justins Jarutis will carry out on the finish of the competition.
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2024-07-23 13:34:38
#competition #coronary heart #Vilnius #Expertise #Midsummer #Vilnius
