CONCERT PROGRAMME
Programme includes P. Lieberson’s “Neruda Songs“, H. Wolf’s “Michelangelo Lieder“, arias from works by J. Massenet, F. Halévy, G. Rossini, W. A. Mozart, G. Puccini, G. B. Pergolesi, etc.
Vladimiras Prudnikovas is a true legend, shining brightly in the musical sky of our country. One of Lithuania's most famous basses, professor with the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre will, celebrate his anniversary on this evening with the Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Gintaras Rinkevičius, and invited guests – together, they will present to the audience some of the most famous classical vocal works.
V. Prudnikovas’ artistic journey began in the boys' and youth choir “Ąžuoliukas”, when the choir's famous founder and conductor Herman Perelstein selected the talented boy for his newly created ensemble. After graduating from the then Lithuanian State Conservatory in 1979, V. Prudnikovas began singing at the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre. In 1981 he was the prize-winner of the International Maria Callas Competition in Athens. However, the real recognition came when he sang the role of Boris Godunov in Mussorgsky's opera “Boris Godunov”, with which he appeared in the opera houses of St. Petersburg, New York, the Champs Elysees in Paris, as well as in Italian and Japanese opera houses. Later, V. Prudnikovas was regularly invited to sing in France, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, Germany, Finland, Norway, the Netherlands, USA, Japan and other countries, and took part in various international music festivals.
During his lifetime, V. Prudnikovas performed around 80 major operatic roles, and an equal number of cantata-oratorio works. Among the most prominent roles created by V. Prudnikovas are Mephistopheles in Ch. Gounod's “Faust”, King Philip in Verdi's “Don Carlo”, Boris Godunov and Pimen in Mussorgsky's “Boris Godunov” and many others.
V. Prudnikovas is also a much-loved teacher, professor at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre (in 1992 he also became the head of its Singing Department). In 1996, the singer was awarded the 3rd Class Order of the Grand Duke Gediminas of Lithuania, and in 1997 he was awarded the Lithuanian National Prize for Culture and Art.