L. Vilkončius. Opera "The Creation of the World" (concert performance)
Composer Laimis Vilkončius
Librettist Daiva Čepauskaitė
Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra under the leadership of artistic director and chief conductor of the orchestra. The Lithuanian Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of its artistic director and conductor Gintaras Rinkevičius, presents a true musical event in the Lithuanian sky - the latest premiere of the opera "The Creation of the World" by the composer Laimis Vilkončius. "Observing today's current events and humanity's doubts about the meaningfulness of life, the question arises - why is humanity so imperfect? What mistakes did the Creator make in creating the world? Together with the poet and playwright Daiva Čepauskaite, we decided to reflect on these topics, choosing ancient Lithuanian pagan myths as the plot," says composer L. Vilkončius.
When composing the opera, the authors consulted with ethnologist prof. Libertas Klimka, the chief contemporary Lithuanian pagan krive, ethnologist and folklorist Inija Trinkūniene, studied the works of anthropologist Marija Gimbutienė and a number of other scientific works on Lithuanian pagans. Delving deeper into the pagan worldview of the Balts, it became clear that the few surviving stories were united by one detail: to create the world, God had to dive underwater, scoop up silt from the bottom and bring it to the surface to create the earth. It is no coincidence that this line is also the starting point of the opera.
In the beginning, when there was nothing but crystal-clear water, the goddess Zemyna began to long for beauty, and gave her sons Praamji and Velin the task of creating the Earth. Praamji quickly understands his mother's message and realises that the world must be beautiful and peaceful.
The opera "The Creation of the World" will be performed by the most famous Lithuanian soloists Jeronimas Milius, Egidijus Bavikinas, Ieva Prudnikovaitė, Ona Kolobovaitė, Steponas Zonys and the Kaunas State Choir (Robertas Šervenikas, director). The Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra will be conducted by Maestro Gintaras Rinkevičius, Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Orchestra.
