liepaja concert Hall to Host SchoenbergS “Gurre’s Songs” – A Culmination of a Decade’s Dream
On November 7th and 8th at 7:00 PM, the Liepaja Concert Hall “Lielais amber” will present the culmination of its decade celebration wiht a performance of Arnold Schoenberg‘s romantic oratorio, “Gurre’s Songs.” This event,part of the European Capital of Culture “Liepaja 2027” program,will unite over 250 musicians on stage – five soloists,large mixed choirs,three male choirs,and a grand orchestra.
The performance explores themes of love, loss, and the human condition, portraying a journey from earthly passion to metaphysical understanding. As described, the work embodies both the “dirt and future ignorance” and “something majestic, monumental, beautiful and pure,” reflecting a narrative where love’s echo transforms into something greater, and suffering leads to a “metaphysical sunrise.”
“Gurre’s Songs” is a rarely performed piece, having been presented only twice before in Latvia due to its immense scale.
“Gurre Songs” Anniversary Concert to Feature Hofmann, Welch, and Leading Latvian Opera Soloists
A concert performance of Arnold Schoenberg’s monumental work, Gurre Songs, will be held in liepāja, Latvia, as part of an anniversary celebration organized by SIA “Lielais Dzintars.” The event will feature a stellar line-up of vocalists, including soprano Magdalena Anna Hofmann, American opera singer Corby Welch, and Latvian National Opera soloist Mikhail Chulpayev. zanda Schwede,a soloist with the Frankfurt Opera,and German-Latvian bass-baritone Oliver Zwarg will also perform.
The concert is a key event within the “Great Great Amber” project,supporting Liepāja’s bid to become a European Capital of Culture in 2027. Funding for the project is provided by the Ministry of Culture of Latvia, Liepāja National Municipality, South Kurzeme Municipality, and Kuldīga Municipality. https://liepaja2027.lv/en/
additional support comes from the State Culture Capital Foundation, UNITING Foundation, Compensa Vienna Insurance Group ADB Latvia Branch, Compensa Life Vienna Insurance Group SE Latvian branch, the Austrian Embassy in Latvia, Latvian Radio 3, and Cello cafe.
gurre Songs is a large-scale cantata composed by Arnold Schoenberg between 1899 and 1900, and later revised in 1913 and 1935. It is based on the Danish poems of Jens Peter jacobsen and is known for its immense orchestral forces and dramatic vocal writing. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Gurre-Lieder
Tickets are available through the “Biļešu paradīze” network of box offices across Latvia, online at https://www.bilesuparadize.lv/lv/performance/34488,and at the Concert Hall Information Center.
date:2024-05-03 16:28:00