Baltic, Banks, Culture, Financial Services, Forum, Funds, Latvia

During the press conference, managers of the Fund announced a programme of the first concert cycle. It includes world-renowned artists, such as one of the greatest and most renowned modern conductors Riccardo Muti with his Luigi Cherubini Orchestra; gorgeous Opera singers Elīna Garanča and Hibla Gerzmava, Lawrence Brownlee and Sarah Coburn; the famous violinist John Bell, the charismatic and virtuous pianist Denis Matsuev and the unique jazz performer, trumpeter and composer Chris Botti. 

Alexander Gafin, Head of the Fund and Member of the Council of Rietumu Bank, said during the press conference, 

"The idea of creating such a Fund "Baltic Musical Seasons” originated about a year ago, at the time when we intended to organise concerts of the world’s renowned performers of different genres in the Dzintari Concert Hall. During the entire year 2016, a preparatory work was going on and negotiations were held with those who were willing to support the Fund established for that purpose and its cultural programme. I am very glad that this step has been completed successfully and the Fund has been established. 

We invited the talented director and famous theatre manager Andrejs Žagars to be the artistic director of this project. The board includes also my colleagues Leonid Esterkin and Arkady Suharenko both shareholders and founders of the Rietumu Bank. Activities of the Fund are not confined to the seasons of the year 2017, our plans go further to the years 2018 and 2019. Everyone knows that schedules of stars of world music are filled for years ahead, so today, announcing the programme of this year, we are preparing for the next one. I hope that through activities of the Fund, including this project, Latvia will reinforce its positions as the cultural capital of the region." 

The goal set by the Fund "Baltic Musical Seasons" is to fill the cultural space of the country with top-class concerts, inviting for this genuine world-scale stars. There has not been an event of this scale in the genre of classical music in the Baltic's, therefore the organizers are expecting attention to this project also from music lovers from different European countries. 

The first concert series will take place in the "Dzintari" Concert Hall on 3 June 2017.