Pažaislis Music Festival invites you to immerse yourself in the world of French romance and enjoy colorful orchestrations and the sound of a royal mezzo-soprano. Coming to Lithuania for the first time, the world-famous singer Dame Sarah Connolly gained world fame with her interpretations of baroque music, which opened the doors to the stages of Milan's Teatro alla Scala, New York's Metropolitan, London's Royal Opera House and the prestigious Glyndebourne Opera Festival.
Dubbed one of the best mezzo-sopranos in the world today, the singer often appears in concert halls, performing solo parts in large-scale pieces and organizing song evenings. Her performances are accompanied by the following reviews from critics: "Each time her interpretation is deepened and expanded by some new tone of voice or nuance of phrasing. She captivates listeners with her warmth and strength."
In this concert, dedicated exclusively to Lithuanian music lovers, alongside the Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra and conductor Gintaras Rinkevičius, Hector Berlioz's vocal cycle "Summer Nights" - one of Lady S. Connolly's favorite concert opuses - will be performed by the charming Maurice Ravel's Bolero. The cycle of six songs was forgotten for some time after its creation, but later became one of the most frequently performed works of H. Berlioz. Critics respond to Lady S. Connolly's interpretation as follows: The performance was very intimate, and the singer enchanted with her story. The interpretation is intense, but stylish, with beautifully formed phrases, sometimes full of seriousness. Not only the soloist's attention to the text is surprising, but also the sense of colors given to the words.
Edgar Montvidas, the artistic director of the Pazaislis music festival, who knows the outstanding singer personally, says: "I was immediately charmed by her chocolate voice with mature cognac. In addition to performing on stage, she is a widely visible activist concerned with the preservation of the English National Opera. It will be safe to say that she has truly deserved the title of Dame, conferred by HRH Queen Elizabeth II herself. So I invite you to a royal evening of music!"
In the concert program:
Maurice Ravel - Bolero
Hector Berlioz - vocal cycle "Summer Nights"
