Other events in Baltic States

A Lithuanian gala concert will take place in Bozar Center for Fine Arts in Brussels Thursday, September 12, reports LETA/ELTA, referring to eu2013.lt.

Soprano Violeta Urmana, one of the most renowned Lithuanian opera singers, will perform together with the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Modestas Pitrenas.

This concert is one of the most significant cultural events in Belgium, organized by the Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union. It introduces also the whole season of the Lithuanian cultural events in Brussels and Ghent.

The Gala concert will be attended by H. M. King Philippe of Belgium, President of the Republic of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaite, Minister of Culture Sarunas Birutis, members of the European Parliament, EU Commissioners, diplomats, other distinguished guests. Part of the international Klara Festival, the performance will be broadcasted by Klara radio. The BOZAR concert hall will accommodate over 2000 guests.

"The preparations of the Presidency's cultural program, which is launched by this fine concert in Bozar, have lasted a few years and we are very pleased that the Presidency gives us a chance to present Lithuanian culture highlights here in Belgium" said Mr. Sarunas Birutis, the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania. According to Mr. Birutis, Presidency of the Council of the European Union is a great responsibility for Lithuania as well as an inspiring opportunity to present Lithuanian artists and culture worldwide.

According to the organizers, the Gala concert marks the fruitful cooperation of the Lithuanian National Philharmonic Society and the Permanent Representation of Lithuania to the EU with cultural partner organisations in Brussels.

Violeta Urmana accompanied by the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra has performed during the opening concert of the Vilnius Festival XVII at the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre. Mr. Pitreas said he was excited to treat the guests with this delight for the classical music lovers.

"Tonight we will present a beautiful and sophisticated program. I have no doubt our audience will enjoy the refined performance we have prepared for them" said Pitrenas.

The first part of the programme includes Lithuanian classics, the symphonic poem Miske / In the Forest by Mikalojus Konstantinas Ciurlionis and the song cycle Wesendonck-Lieder by Richard Wagner. It will be followed by Der Manner Sippe from Die Walkure and Liebestod from Tristan and Isolde by Richard Wagner, the symphonic poem Tod und Verklarung by Richard Strauss.

A press conference to present the event will be held at the Centre for Fine Arts BOZAR at 11 am, September 12. Soprano Violeta Urmana, Minister of Culture Sarunas Birutis and Director General of the Lithuanian National Philharmonic Society Ruta Pruseviciene will be the speakers at the press conference.