Other events in Baltic States

Gunars Upatnieks, the acclaimed double bass player, was recently hired by the prestigious "Berliner Philharmoniker" following a successful trial period, informs LETA.

Interviewed by "Rietumu Radio", he described a negative situation in Latvian classical music as musicians continue to head for employment in orchestras abroad.

Upatnieks pointed out that most talented have been departing "for some time now, and everyone knows it."

"Until musicians are not provided humane conditions, the exodus will continue," he declared, adding that orchestra quality suffers as a result.

Upatnieks specifically mentioned that the Latvian musician "has no choice, because there's no decent existence, one can't support a family."

The multitude of classical music, opera talent proves that Latvia has a "good school", the bassist noted. "However, it remains to be seen when youngsters will cease attending music schools, seeing that there's no future for the music profession in this country."