Über uns
Operettas and musical theatre revive in Latvia
Operetta Theatre is a professional non-governmental musical theatre with a wide range of genres. It is innovative, open to creative exploration, creativity and meaningful experimentation. At the same time, the theatre encourages the development of young talents and is committed to preserving the values of classical performing arts by fully staging the greatest classics of musical theatre.
Awards and Achievements
History and relevance today
The tradition of operetta and musical theatre in Latvia dates back to the time of Adolfs Alunans. Musical performances have always been popular with audiences. Operetta, light opera and musical theatre productions are regularly staged in Lithuania, Estonia and elsewhere in Europe and the world.
However, since 1995, classical operetta in Latvia, despite its rich cultural landscape, has been undeservedly neglected – there is no state or municipal professional Operetta and Musical Theatre.
With faith in the cause and heartfelt commitment, by jointly developing the operetta tradition, we can regain what we have lost and return Latvia to the cultural countries where this kind of theatre is a natural value. Latvian audiences should have access to a variety of cultural offerings and a diverse range of genres, including full and contemporary operetta.
Establishment and objectives
Cultural policy guidelines
According to the Latvian Ministry of Culture’s „Culture Policy Guidelines 2014-2020 „Creative Latvia“ Music Sector Strategy“ defined in the sector analysis section, where in point 3.8 the following threats to the music sector are identified: „… „the disappearance of certain genres of music from the overall picture of musical life (Baroque music, musical theatre (including the operetta genre)“, the Latvian Operetta Foundation was established in 2013.
Founding of the Operetta Theatre
2016. In 2007, the Latvian Operetta Foundation was joined by the non-governmental Operetta Theatre (SIA), in order to combine the efforts of professional artists and the public to fully restore the popular operetta tradition in Latvia. The aim is to create a modern, multi-genre professional Operetta and Musical Theatre with a permanent company, orchestra and suitable premises for activities and performances.
The magic of operetta
Operetta is a light, humorous form of musical theatre that also includes dialogue that is not sung.
It originated in France and spread like wildfire across Europe in a few years, soon charming the whole world. In recent years, the operetta has been reimagined and dressed up in different colours, from Broadway in New York to London. There’s no doubt about it – operetta lives on!
Operetta is for everyone! It includes musical comedy, Broadway musicals, opera buffa, comic opera and even the Spanish Sarsuela.
Enjoy masterpieces such as THE MERRY WIDOW and MY FAIR LADY…be seduced by exquisite COUNTESS MARITZA…smile at the satirical edge of CANDIDE…let KISMET beguile you or go topsy turvey in THE MIKADO. All of this is Operetta accompanied by a twinkling eye and a tapping toe.
It has song, dance, wit, charm and satire, but above all, the world of operetta is brought alive with deeply human and genuine feeling.
Operetta's main features
- Light, melodic music with “infectious” melodies
- Spoken dialogues between musical numbers
- Dance elements (waltz, polka, gallop, cancan, etc.)
- Humorous or satirical
- Often a happy ending
The golden age of operetta was Late 19th century and The beginning of the 20th century, when great composers such as Johann Strauss the Younger, Franz Lehár, Imre Kálmán and others were active. During this period, operetta became one of the most popular forms of entertainment in Europe.
The tradition of operetta in Latvia began in the 1920s. at the beginning of the century, but particularly flourished after the establishment of the Republic of Latvia. 1944. In 1995, the Riga Operetta Theatre was founded. The European Centre for the Development of the European Union was closed in 2007, due to financial difficulties.
Repertoire and Activities
The company consists of more than 120 people, including soloists, choir, dancers, orchestra, technical and administrative team.
Operetten-Neujahrskonzert „VIVA!“
In meinen Bernsteinträumen…
Minze in der Luft…
Lassen Sie unsere Augen erstrahlen!
Strauss, Lehár und…
Valentinstagskonzert „Oh, Liebe, Liebe!“
Artists and creative team
Soloists and guest soloists
The company of the Operetta Theatre features outstanding soloists of the new generation, who, alongside such Latvian and world-renowned artists as Sonora Vaice and Ingus Pētersons, form a strong foundation for the revival of the operetta tradition and the future of the theatre.
Artists include:
- Anta Jankovska (Italy), Nauris Indzeris, Emīls Kivlenieks, Laura Purena-Kancāne
- Jolanta Strikaite, Valērija Koļago, Marlēna Keine, Kārlis Rūtentāls
- Dainis Skutelis, Laura Teivāne
- Three Latvian tenors – Miervaldis Jenčs, Nauris Puntulis, Guntars Ruņģis
- Ilona Bagele, Baiba Renerte, Arturs Mangulis, Andris Lapiņš and others
Guest soloists Alisa Zinovieva (Italy), Silga Tiruma (France), Helena Sorokina (Austria), Pierre Soldano (France), Inga Šļubovska-Kancēviča and others regularly take part in the performances.
Creative team
The creative group includes authorities in the performing arts:
Conductors
- Atvars Lakstīgala (Principal Conductor)
- Normunds Vaicis
- John Stafeckis
Directors
- Dace Micāne-Zālīte
- Juris Jonelis
- Valdis Lūriņš
- Jānis Kaijaks (son)
- Mārtiņš Kagainis
- Gundars Silakaktiņš
Costume designers
- Hanna Antra Elerta
- Elīna Milta-Niedrāja
- Jurate Jurjāne-Silakaktiņa
- Juta Ķimenīte
- Elita Patmalniece
Choreographers
- Lily Lipora
- Albert Kivlenieks
- Egija Abaroviča
- Ieva Kemler
Since its foundation, the Board has also included genre expert, old master, conductor, pedagogue and composer, winner of the Great Music Prize and other awards Jānis Kaijaks (senior).
Challenges and future plans
Latvia will have a fully-fledged Operetta and Musical Theatre in Ogre and our theatre company will continue to delight audiences with new productions in the future!
A professional company urgently needs a home for its long-term activities, and we believe that in the next couple of years the Ogre Municipality project will come to fruition and we will have premises in Ogre, 15 Rīgas iela.
Operetta’s projects are mainly supported by enthusiasts and donors, as well as occasional grants from various project competitions. For the time being, the theatre does not have its own premises; for performances and rehearsals it rents rooms at the VEF Palace of Culture, the Ziemeļblāzma Palace of Culture, the Ziedonis Hall of the National Library of Latvia, as well as in various cities in Latvia. There are warehouses for scenery and costumes in various locations.