Other events in Baltic States

Opera singers Inga Kalna and Rihards Macanovskis were honored with the "Best Opera Soloist" award at the annual Latvian National Opera (LNO) awards ceremony, sponsored by Latvijas Gaze gas utility company, reports LETA.

The "Legendary Life in Arts" Award was presented to soprano Solveiga Raja, but Andris Eriks Dalbins was honored for his lifetime artistic contribution to LNO. The award for lifetime technical-administrative contribution was deservedly earned by Irena Austra Indriksone.

Natalja Lipska was named "Best Female Ballet Principal Dancer" award, but the winner in the category "Best Male Principal Dancer" was Andris Pudans.

Selected for extraordinary artistic achievement last season was the modern opera "Mihails un Mihails spēlē šahu" ("Mikhail and Mikhail Play Chess"). Management of LNO accented the job done by the creative team: composer Kristaps Petersons, librettist Sergejs Timofejevs, director Viesturs Meiksans, set designer Reinis Suhanovs, choreographer Kirils Burlovs, costume designers "Mareunrol's" and Colombian audio-visual artist Carlos Franklin.

In an open vote, the general public selected the "Best New Production" of season 2013/2014. The winner: Juris Karlson's ballet-based on Astrid Lindgren's storybook hero – "Karlsons lido..." ("Karlsson Takes Flight"), choreographed by Aivars Leimanis.

The jury for Latvijas Gaze Opera Awards consisted of Managing Director of the LNO Zigmars Liepins, LNO Ballet-Master Aivars Leimanis, Culture Minister Dace Melbarde (VL-TB/LNNK), CEO at Latvijas Gaze Adrians Davis, Director of Latvian Radio 3 Gunda Vaivode, art critic and curator Helena Demakova, General Manager of Estonian National Opera Aivar Mae and President of Itera Latvija Juris Savickis.

The Latvijas Gaze Annual Opera Awards ceremony and concert will be broadcast on tape Friday evening, October 3 at 11.15 p.m. by Latvian Television 1.

The collaboration between Latvijas Gaze and LNO has begun in 2005 when Latvijas Gaze became the biggest supporter in the LNO history.