To launch the international “Riga Jurmala” classical music festival, the first two Musical Soirées of this summer will take place on the 2nd and 3rd of July in the square opposite the Latvian National Opera. In partnership with Radio 3 “Klasika”, visitors of those and other upcoming events that will take place in various Riga’s parks and on the beach in Jurmala, will be able to listen to recordings by various world-famous orchestras and artists from this year’s festival concert programme.
The Musical Soirées is a unique event concept where listeners get to know classical music from a different perspective. Over the course of the evening, the event location is transformed into a vibrant two-hour picnic where people enjoy classical music in a relaxed, informal atmosphere. They can choose either a delicious picnic meal prepared in collaboration with festival partners – sea food restaurant “Barents” and Balticovo, and “Ekselence” ice cream, or bring their own picnic basket. The event scenographer is Latvian artist Krišs Salmanis.
“We are very happy to be launching the long-awaited new season of the festival with our Musical Soirées. This event concept and format came about last year when the concerts had to be cancelled due to the pandemic, so we invited music lovers to join us at picnics in Riga and Jurmala so they could enjoy the recordings of the festival programme in a safe and special atmosphere. “Due to public demand, we are once again offering the chance to enjoy these unforgettable musical evenings alongside festival concerts,” explains Executive Director of the “Riga Jurmala” Festival Zane Čulkstēna.
The events will begin at 7:30 p.m. and the programme on the 2nd of July will include MOZART Overture to Don Giovanni, K. 527 (performed by the English Baroque soloists and conductor John Eliot Gardiner), Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART Piano Concerto No. 20 in B flat Major, K. 39 (performed by Murray Perahia and English Chamber Orchestra) and Robert SCHUMANN Symphony No. 2 in C major, op. 61 (by London Symphony Orchestra and conductor John Eliot Gardiner). The programme on the 3rd of July will include Robert SCHUMANN Piano Concerto in A minor, op. 54 (by Sir András Schiff piano, Concertgebouworkest and conductor Antal Doráti) and Johannes BRAHMS Symphony No. 1 in C minor, op. 68 (by Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and conductor Mariss Jansons).
Entry to the events is free of charge but the number of people admitted is limited so a pre-registration is required. To ensure events comply with all health and safety requirements, entry to the event will be allowed with a digital COVID-19 certificate proving vaccination or recovery from COVID.
More on “Riga Jurmala” Musical Soirées, event details and registration HERE.
