Narva Opera Days celebrates classical music and contemporary opera
Text Susanna Poikela Photo Ilja Smirnov
The Narva Opera Days is a popular annual music festival, which will be held in the city from August 21 to 25 this year. The festival features a diverse programme of opera performances and concerts, set against the historic backdrop of the Kreenholm factory. The festival is known for its unique atmosphere and historical setting.
This year’s five-day festival will feature both classical music and contemporary opera. One of the highlights is Andromeda, a modern opera composed with the aid of artificial intelligence. The original Andromeda opera was composed in the 17th century by Italian composer Marco Scacchi, but only the libretto has survived. The version presented at the festival is a completely new interpretation of the Baroque opera – opening the Narva Opera Days with an experimental twist.
On August 22, the programme will feature the music of Bach, performed by Latvian flautist Erik Bosgraaf. Bosgraaf is regarded as one of the world’s finest flute players and is known for his innovative approach, often breaking the boundaries of different musical genres.
On Friday, August 23, an opera gala will be held, showcasing works by Baroque and classical composers such as G. F. Handel, W. A. Mozart, Ch. Gounod, and G. Bizet, among others. Performers will include members of the Lithuanian New Opera Symphony ensemble.
The festival will conclude on Saturday and Sunday (August 24 & 25), with a performance of Raasulapsuke (Bread Crumb Child) by Estonian composer Malle Maltis. This opera is based on a folk tale that explores themes of obsessive love and passion, where spells are cast for personal gain but ultimately lead to ruin.
You can learn more about Narva Opera Days on the events official website. https://narvaopera.ee/en/
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