Panevėžys Musical Theatre continues the tradition and invites you to welcome the New Year with music. This time with the audience's favourite Musical Theatre Wind Orchestra "Garsas" and the bright soloists of the younger generation - Valerija Iljinaite from Panevėžys, currently studying at the Royal Academy of Music, and Juozas Janužas, soloist of the National Opera and Ballet Theatre.
This animated programme will feature the most beautiful arias and duets from the repertoire of both popular and classical music. The concert will be full of swinging rhythms, jazz improvisations, and pieces specially prepared for the festive programme.
Valerija Iljinaitė is a Lithuanian lyric-dramatic soprano of Ukrainian descent, born and raised in Panevėžys. Valerija is currently studying at the Royal Academy of Music with Marcus van den Akker and Janet Haney, and graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in 2023, studying with Joan Rodgers CBE and being a Morag Noble Scholar. She made her Carnegie Hall debut in the summer of 2023 and was awarded the James Adler Prize. She performed the role of the 1st Lady in The Enchanted Flute with MOS New York and was featured in the MOS Gala Concert at Carnegie Weill Recital Hall. Valeria has received numerous awards and has been a prize-winner at many international competitions. She has performed with various orchestras, including the Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra, the Belarusian State Symphony Orchestra and others. She has also participated in various masterclasses and collaborations with renowned music professionals, and in 2019 she was invited to participate in a special inauguration concert of the President of Lithuania, Gitanas Nausėda.
Tenor Juozas Janužas has learnt her singing skills from professors such as Virgilijus Noreika, Sigutė Stonytė, Vladimir Prudnikovas, and foreign teachers. He is a laureate of many international singing competitions. He is currently singing at the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre. He has prepared a number of roles and actively performs with various artists, choirs, brass bands and symphony orchestras.
The Panevėžys Music Theatre Wind Orchestra "Garsas" (leader Martynas Bražas) performs at festivals, participates in educational activities, prepares musical programmes in various styles, performs with vocalists Monika Linkyte, Edgaras Davidovičius, Laima Česlauskaitė, Aiste Pilibaviččiūtė, Dainotas Varnas, multi-instrumentalist Saulius Petreikis, and many more. In cooperation with young composers and arrangers, unique concert programmes "Concert Boom", "Rock Legends", "Life in a Circle", "Freedom is Calling", "Musical Bridges: Lithuania-Ukraine" and others have been prepared. The orchestra's stylish repertoire can be heard on stages, in parks, at song festivals, in churches and squares.
