CONCERT PROGRAMME
The most beautiful arias from operas written by G. Verdi, P. Mascagni, P. Tchaikovsky, etc.
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Irena Milkevičiūtė is one of the most prominent personalities of Lithuanian music culture, a singer who has gained worldwide recognition. Opera soloist, professor at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre, winner of the National Prize, is celebrating her anniversary this evening. “In those moments when I feel the special attention and breathing of the audience, it often seems that I am not standing on the stage, on the ground, but rising in spirit. It is very important for me to be necessary for people: then I give all of myself away with love,” – said the famous soloist who dedicated her life to the performing arts. During her career, I. Milkevičiūtė has sung all of the most important lyric and dramatic soprano roles in various operas. The singer spent a year on internship at the famous La Scala Opera House in Milan, and later at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. She also worked at the Bolshoi Opera in Moscow, Mariinsky Theatre in Saint Petersburg and other world-famous opera houses.
“I. Milkevičiūtė's career is a several-decade history of Lithuanian opera. Her majestic but easy-to-manage voice, rich and warm timbre, subtle vocal nuances and resolute power were sincerely loved by the audience. Her Norma, Cio-Cio San, Violetta have made several generations to fall in love with the genre of opera. For many opera lovers, she remains their favourite singer. She is one of the last romantics of opera, who considers her profession a noble duty to help a person survive, requiring dedication and often a sacrifice of important things. Therefore, the charm of Irena Milkevičiūtė, a woman and an artist, does not fade,” – wrote musicologist Jūratė Katinaitė.
On this celebratory evening, the Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra will be conducted by its founder, artistic director and chief conductor, National Prize winner maestro Gintaras Rinkevičius.