SONGS OF FREE SOULS - AME ROMA and violinist Aleksejs KOĻESŅIKOVS

SONGS OF FREE SOULS

Gypsy music evening

On December 6 at 6: 00 PM in the Great Hall of the House of the Jewish Community of Latvia, “AME ROMA” and violinist Aleksejs KOĻESŅIKOVS.

There are songs in which love and longing, joy and sorrow live side by side. In Gypsy music, these feelings take on a special sound, heartfelt, free, and spirited.

At the concert “SONGS OF FREE SOULS,” expressive voices, guitar rhythms, and violin improvisations will weave together into musical stories that move and captivate.

The program will feature both audience favorites and new repertoire, familiar melodies you will want to sing along to, and new musical discoveries.

Concert duration: approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, without an intermission.

Performing in the concert:

“AME ROMA”

Raisa Kopilenko — vocals

Roksana Rudeviča — vocals

Ornella Rudeviča — vocals

Rino Rudevičs — vocals and guitar

Aleksejs KOĻESŅIKOVS — violin

“AME ROMA” is a well-known musical ensemble uniting members of two legendary Latvian Roma families, Kopylenko and Rudevičs. The ensemble’s history goes back more than 90 years, and today it already includes the fourth generation of musicians. Preserving its unique style and the spirit of a true Gypsy camp, “AME ROMA” delights audiences with authentic Gypsy songs, dances, and romances.

The ensemble’s leader, Raisa Kopilenko, comes from a notable musical dynasty. Her grandfather, Andrejs Kopilenko, founded the ensemble in 1934 in Ukraine, while her father, Arturs Kopilenko, continued the family tradition and became a well-known musician both in Latvia and beyond.

Soloist Roksana Rudeviča is an expert and consultant on Roma integration issues at the European Parliament. Her father, Normunds Rudevičs, was once a member of the Saeima, and now is the president of the International Roma Association.

Since 2015, the Rudevičs family has organized the International Roma Culture Festival in Latvia, featuring outstanding Roma musicians from around the world.

“AME ROMA” takes part in events organized by the Ministry of Culture, local municipalities, and other cultural organizations, including Riga Festivals, the Song and Dance Festival, and other cultural events.

Aleksejs KOĻESŅIKOVS is a well-known violin virtuoso from Riga, a master of various musical styles, a prizewinner of international competitions, and an outstanding improviser who has appeared in television shows and international festivals.

Aleksejs was born in Riga and gained recognition in music competitions already in childhood. At the age of sixteen, he went to Moscow, where he graduated from the Moscow Conservatory. For about twenty years, Aleksejs lived abroad, working on well-known classical music and show business projects.

Ten years ago, Aleksejs returned to Latvia, where he continues his creative path and actively performs in concert.

Aleksejs and the ensemble “AME ROMA” are united by a long-standing friendship and creative collaboration. Together with the ensemble, he has taken part in many concerts and festivals both in Latvia and abroad.

A special atmosphere for the evening will be created by the beautiful, historic Great Hall of the House of the Jewish Community of Latvia at 6 Skolas Street. The building was constructed in 1913-1914 and became a meeting place where concerts and theatrical performances were held. In 1926, a theater troupe began performing here, so in the year of our concert, one hundred years have passed since the theater history of this stage began. Even today, the building, recognized as a state-protected architectural monument, continues to bring people together and unite them through art.

We invite you to spend an evening together, where songs sound from the heart and bring people together.

During the event, photography and filming will take place. Photos and video recordings may be published on social networks and websites, as well as made available to the wider public in other ways.