Judith | operetta

The staging of the operetta "Judith" at the Operetta Theatre has won the title "Stage Event of the Year" in the TOP 10 of "Classics", that is, the brightest musical highlights of 2025, according to Latvian Radio 3. The production has received positive, supportive reviews from theatre and music critics: for the psychologically deep acting in the lead and supporting roles, for the conductors' nuanced work and the musicians' finely detailed, sensitive performance, as well as for the visual concept of the production.

Franz Lehár's operetta, a musical comedy in 5 acts, is a fascinating story about what is forever relevant: longing, obsession, desire, and passionate love. Filled with enchanting melodies, it surprises with its powerful intensity and richly "operatic" music; it is more than just light entertainment.

Judith is considered Lehár's best work, and it was also the composer's own favorite. It is sincere, emotionally profound, captivating, and magnetic. Marking the composer's 155th birthday, the Operetta Theatre is staging it in Latvia for the first time in musical theatre history! It is created as a musical-opera.

PLOT:

The beautiful and untamable Judith feels trapped in her marriage to her husband Manuel. Her life changes the moment she meets the charismatic Captain Octavio. The passion between them is so strong that Judith leaves her past behind and runs away with him.

Their love blossoms in a foreign land, in a sunlit North African city. But the lovers' idyll is interrupted when fate intervenes, and Octavio must go to war. Left alone, Judith finds the strength within herself to become an artist. Her voice and extraordinary beauty make her a star and celebrity in a luxurious club, where visitors admire her brilliant talent. Yet beneath this shining mask lies deep loneliness.

The sparkling and carefree Anita and her beloved Pierino enjoy life simply, lovingly, and lightly; their relationship is filled with joy and humor, and with dreams of a shared future.

Judith - ANTA JANKOVSKA (soprano/Italy) or ANASTASIJA DOLGOŅENKO (soprano)

Octavio - DAINIS SKUTELIS (tenor) or JURIS JOPE (tenor) or ANDREJS KRUTOJS (tenor)

Also starring: Jolanta Strikaite, Emīls Kivlenieks, Nauris Indzeris, Inmārs Sikle, Patrīcija Kozlovska, Henrijs Kozlovskis, etc.

Choir, dancers, and symphony orchestra.

Artists are subject to change

Conductor ATVARS LAKSTĪGALA, assistant conductor ARTŪRS PLAUDIS (conducting on 29.03 and 14.04)

Director Gernot Kranner (Austria), assistant director Sonora Vaice

Choreographer Ieva Kemlere

Costume designer Aleksandra Brandner (Germany)

Costume designer and production manager Vita Radziņa

Set designer Herwig Libowitzky (Austria)

Video artist and set designer Ineta Sipunova

Lighting designer Ivars Vācers

Technical director for set development Ansis Gornavs

Costume production manager Vita Radziņa

Translation by Evita Mamaja

Instrumentation by Paul Bernard Bernot

Creative director Agija Ozoliņa-Kozlovska

Director Gernot Kranner has successfully staged Franz Lehár's operetta Judith many times, including at the Lehár Festival in Bad Ischl (Austria) in 2007, but in Latvia this new production will be the director's first staging. The Lehár Festival Bad Ischl (Das Lehár Festival Bad Ischl) is the largest operetta festival in Austria, and its diversity and quality are unique worldwide.

Anta Jankovska and Dainis Skutelis in performances:

March 14 at 18: 00 at Alūksne Cultural Centre

March 27 at 19: 00 at Latgale Gors

April 14 at 19: 00 at VEF Culture Palace (benefit performance)

Anastasija Dolgoņenko and Juris Jope in performances:

March 20 at 19: 00 at Liepāja Theatre

March 29 at 17: 00 at Slampe Cultural Palace

April 10 at 19: 00 at Cēsis Concert Hall

Artūrs Plaudis will conduct:

March 29 at 17: 00 at Slampe Cultural Palace

April 14 at 19: 00 at VEF Culture Palace

The production was created with co-financing from Altum and the State Culture Capital Foundation