CONCERT PROGRAMME
L. Vilkončius. Opera “The Creation of the World” (concert performance)
Composer Laimis Vilkončius
Libretto by Daiva Čepauskaitė
The Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra, under the leadership of its Artistic Director and Chief Conductor Gintaras Rinkevičius, presents an exclusive Lithuanian musical event – the brand new premiere of opera "The Creation of the World" by composer Laimis Vilkončius. “Observing today's events and humanity's doubts about the meaningfulness of life, the question arises: why is humanity so imperfect? What mistakes did the Creator make in creating the world? Together with the poet and playwright Daiva Čepauskaite, we decided to reflect upon these themes, choosing ancient Lithuanian pagan myths as the plot”, – says composer L. Vilkončius.
While creating the opera, the authors consulted with ethnologist Prof. Libertas Klimka, the chief contemporary Lithuanian pagan priestess, ethnologist and folklorist Inija Trinkūnienė, and studied the works of anthropologist Marija Gimbutienė, as well as a number of other scholarly works about Lithuanian Pagans. Delving deeper into the pagan worldview of the Balts, it became clear that the few surviving stories were united by one detail: to create the world, God had to dive underwater, scoop up silt from the bottom and bring it to the surface to create the earth. It is no coincidence that this storyline is also the starting point of the opera.
In the beginning, when there was nothing but crystal-clear water, goddess Žemyna longed for beauty, and gave her sons Praamžius and Velinas the task of creating the Earth. Praamžius quickly understands his mother's message and realises that the world must be beautiful and peaceful. Meanwhile, Velin sees the beauty of Earth in his own way...
Opera "The Creation of the World" will be performed by the most famous Lithuanian soloists Jeronimas Milius, Egidijus Bavikinas, Ieva Prudnikovaitė, Ona Kolobovaitė, Steponas Zonys and the Kaunas State Choir (dir. Robertas Šervenikas). The Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra will be conducted by Maestro Gintaras Rinkevičius, Artistic Director and Chief Conductor.