Opera arias by A. Rubinstein and N. Rimsky-Korsakov
M. Mussorgsky. Vocal cycle “Songs and Dances of Death”
A. Bruckner. Symphony No. 4 in E-flat major
In 2005 baritone Kostas Smoriginas began his studies at the Royal Academy of Music in London, and soon afterwards his successful international career was launched. After his performance in Paris, opera magazine “Forum Opera” wrote: “The voice of K. Smoriginas is gorgeous, majestic and full of colours. Even while creating an evil character, he still manages to make the audience sympathize with him.” The impressive turns of Smoriginas’ career have already led him to “Covent Garden” in London, “La Scala” in Milan, “Deutche Oper Berlin” and other famous stages all over the world. His debut in the USA was also not long overdue: having sung the role of Figaro at the Washington National Opera, the soloist later repeated it at the San Francisco Opera. According to the database of classical music “Bachtrack”, in 2014 Smoriginas was one of the three most often performing bass-baritones in the world.
On this evening Smoriginas shall collaborate with the Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra, conducted by maestro Gintaras Rinkevičius, and offer to the audience not only the most beautiful opera arias written by N. Rimsky-Korsakov and A. Rubinstein, but also the dramatic vocal cycle “Songs and Dances of Death” by Russian romantic composer Modest Mussorgsky (1839-1881). The cycle consists of four parts. In each of them we witness poetic representations of four different images of death, based upon the stirring reality of Russia in the 19th century. Written after the poems of Arseni Golenischtschew-Kutusow, the cycle is considered to be a masterpiece within the genre.
During the second part of the concert the Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra will be performing the famous Symphony No. 4 by Austrian composer Anton Bruckner (1824-1896).