Vilnius vibrates with summer music

  • 2005-07-06
  • By Milda Seputyte
VILNIUS - Sharp eyes have perhaps already noticed Lithuania's capital city metamorphosing as the summer's warmest days approach. The atmosphere is changing. Usually silent, reserved courtyards and magnificent churches of Vilnius Old Town are vibrating with music.

This is due in part to the 11th annual Christopher Summer Festival, a 2-month, citywide explosion of creative outpouring and cultural pride. Undeniably the biggest and the best summer festival in Vilnius, this event, thanks to the efforts of Professor Donatas Katkus, the artistic director and the spark behind the festival, brings cultural life in the city to a higher level. Katkus explains that, "Each year, the Christopher Summer Festival has its direction. This year, we turn towards Asian countries 's performers from Japan, China and South Korea will attend and play at the festival." With pianists from Japan, the "Hong Kong Sinfonietta", musicians from South Korea and other surprises, this year's festival promises to be entertaining - even a bit exotic.

One of the best things is that this festival does not fit into a simple frame- it is as varied as it is unique- its slogan could easily be, "Music has no boring genre." In addition to refined chamber music, the festival program includes popular jazz, opera, and oratorios. Yoko Usuda, a flamenco dancer from Japan will perform and a range of intriguing, even provocative premieres will entertain theater fans.

It isn't surprising that fans of church organ music and choral groups always find solace in the offerings of this festival. But, even those who avoid chamber music should find it enormously consoling to hide away in a chilly Vilnius church listening to lulling melodies and cooling off from the hot summer streets. And with both indoor and outdoor settings amidst some of the finest examples of Vilnius architecture, the festival invites one to discover more than music.

Each year the festival stages a newly written piece. This year will see the premiere of the oratorio, "Maciunas" which follows the life of George Maciunas, the father of 'fluxus' wave. Author of the oratory "Maciunas" Lucio Pozzi, explained that he decided to follow the life of Maciunas because his personal existence is somewhat similar to Maciunas'. Pozzi, a prominent painter and author of various installations and performances, originally comes from Italy but now lives and works in New York. The oratory combines a wide range of artistic means including theater, dance and various genres of music.

There is something for everyone at the Christopher Summer Festival - from tributes of past masters, to the recent works of some of the world's most celebrated composers. Come and treat yourself to new experiences, magical atmosphere and pleasant surprises.

Christopher Summer Festival

Until August 28

http://www.kristupofestivaliai.lt