An artistically new, innovative operatic treatment of the musically vivid love story of the Latvian cultural legend – film scholar Valentina Freimane (1922 – 2018), a full-format opera reimagined as a multimedia mono-opera in chamber version.
Valentina Freimane’s life has been filled with love, which is beautifully reflected in the music of opera. Her childhood was spent between Riga and Berlin, where her father was a lawyer at the UFA film studio and her mother a charming society lady around whom the cinema world of the time gathered.
The theme of love is extremely important in the performance, which is enhanced by the beautiful and colourful music by Arturas Maskats, which also features the composer’s favourite tango, which Vaice complements with tap dancing, which she has learnt from the grandmaster of tap dance in Latvia, the developer of tap dancing – Maris Pūrs. The musically brilliant tango, on the other hand, is heard in the accordion colours that form the musical fabric of the opera.
The power of love has played a crucial role in Valentina Freimane’s fate, with her miraculous rescue enabling her to endure to the end. She has always and in all circumstances retained her humanity, deep human love, warmth of heart and has been a model of intelligent femininity, which was the pledge of her successful life. These qualities of her personality remained throughout her life, which took place during a very difficult period in European history, including the period from 1939 to 1944.
“Valentina Freimane’s life was a huge combination of VALUES and HUMILITY – CONSCIOUSNESS. If we were to look deeper and understand the experiences of such wise personalities, wars would end in the world,” – says Sonora Vaice, the director of the performance.
In this production, the musicians on stage are also actors, acting out the story of Valentina’s life.
Opera “Valentina” with libretto by Liana Langa and Arturas Muskatas based on Valentina Freimane’s autobiographical novel “Goodbye, Atlantis!” the historic world premiere took place in 2014 at the Latvian National Theatre and became one of the most important events of Riga – European Capital of Culture. Valentina’s guest performances at the Deutsche Oper Berlin were included in the public diplomacy and cultural programme of the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the EU.
“I was delighted to hear that there will be a new production of Arthur Muskat’s opera Valentina, performed by high-calibre professionals, and I am looking forward to the premiere on 17 April. The events explored in the opera allow us to look at people in times of great crisis. The current war in Ukraine is also a sign of a deep crisis in the western world, in which we all have a role to play, so I believe that the opera Valentina is topical and will encourage reflection on what is important,” says Liāna Langa, the author of the libretto.
The production is co-financed by the State Culture Fund and Riga City Council. Supported by PMTM.
