Asmik Grigorian / Edgaras Montvidas / Litauisches Nationales Symphonieorchester / Giedre Šlekytė

Greetings from Lithuania

Here in Germany, the name Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis is rarely heard, but in his homeland of Lithuania, the composer and painter is revered as a great artist. The Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Giedrė Šlekytė, will open the gala concert marking the start of Lithuania’s presidency of the Council of the European Union with his symphonic poem “In the Forest.” The evening’s soloists are also Lithuanian: Asmik Grigorian and Edgaras Montvidas will sing well-known arias and duets by Richard Wagner and Giacomo Puccini. Other important EU member states will also be featured. Brussels, the EU’s capital, is represented by the Belgian composer Joseph Jongen and his romantic, lush fantasy.

Cast

Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra

Asmik Grigorian Soprano

Edgaras Montvidas, tenor

Conductor Giedrė Šlekytė

Program

Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis
In the Forest / Symphonic Poem

Kazimieras Viktoras Banaitis
Kastytis Ballad / from the opera “Jūratė and Kastytis”

Balys Dvarionas
Dalia’s Aria / from the opera “Dalia”

Richard Wagner
Prelude to Act 3 from “Lohengrin” WWV 75
In a Faraway Land / Lohengrin’s Grail Narrative from the opera “Lohengrin” WWV 75
Did the Ship Strike the Sea / Senta’s Ballad from the opera “The Flying Dutchman” WWV 63

– Intermission –

Amilcare Ponchielli
Sinfonia / from the opera “I Lituani”
Si...questa estrema grazia (Yes…this extraordinary grace) / Walter’s aria from the opera “I Lituani”

Giacomo Puccini
Sola, perduta, abbandonata (Alone, lost, abandoned) / Manon Lescaut’s aria from the opera “Manon Lescaut”
Tu, tu, amore, tu? (You, you, my love, you?) / Duet from the opera “Manon Lescaut”
Addio, fiorito asil (Farewell, flower-adorned refuge) / Pinkerton’s aria from the opera “Madame Butterfly”
Un bel dì vedremo (One day we shall see) / Butterfly’s aria from the opera “Madame Butterfly”
Vogliatemi bene (Love Me) / Duet from the opera “Madame Butterfly”

Joseph Jongen
Fantasy for Violin and Orchestra in E-Major, Op. 12

Venue: Elbphilharmonie / Grand Hall

Organizer: HamburgMusik