For the first time, the Riga Project Choir will visit Ventspils, and for the first time, the concert program will be led by guest conductor Sigvards Kļava.
“Over the past 30 years, Sigvards Kļava has conducted choirs in two main formats: the 24-voice Latvian Radio Choir and the massive Song Festival choir with thousands of singers. So when he agreed to create a program with the Riga Project Choir, he wanted to conduct a repertoire that can only be performed by a large choir. This time, the Riga Project Choir will consist of 65 singers,” reveals the choir’s director, Kristofers Volšs Sinka.
The concert program will feature two compositions that require both a large ensemble and a high level of vocal mastery: Arturs Maskats’ choral concert “Gadalaiki” and Richard Strauss’ “Zwei Gesänge”—two virtuosic pieces for a 16-voice choir. Between these works, the program will also include Veljo Tormis’ song “Jaanilaul” from his Midsummer Song Cycle.
Since its founding in 2018, the Riga Project Choir has become one of the finest and most well-known amateur choirs in Latvia. The choir has performed 15 unique programs and given over 40 concerts in Riga and other cities across all regions of Latvia.
Program:
Arturs Maskats – Choral Concert a cappella
Richard Strauss – Hymn (Hymne)
Richard Strauss – Evening (Vakars) (Der Abend)
Richard Strauss: Zwei Gesänge, Op.34 Der Abend & Hymne for choir “A Cappella” (1897)
Veljo Tormis – Svētā Jāņa dziesma (Jaanilaul (St.John’s Song))
The concert is supported by Riga City Council and the Ventspils City Municipality.
