FOREST SWANS

Māra Zālīte, Raimonds Pauls

FOREST SWANS

A musical

Premiere -

• 29.11.2024.

Performance in 2 acts

The eleven princes of a certain kingdom turn into swans every morning - their curse is always to leave their homeland and go far, far away. The brothers can only be saved by their only sister Elīza, whose love can overcome all curses.

Klāvs Mellis, known as the most versatile director of his generation, plans to take a fresh look at maestro Raimonds Pauls' musical Forest Swans. The director has brought into his creative team the striking scenography group Grāfienes, choreographer Rūdolfs Gediņš and lighting designer Reinis Zalti - the most talented artists of Mellis's generation. Pauls and Zālīte's musical, called a canonical work of Latvian musical theatre, will be heard in new arrangements and with a different ensemble of musicians; moreover, the librettist and poet together with the composer have specially written previously unheard songs for the production, re-creating the already known and beloved in a contemporary way.

A world of enchantment and fantasy, and a heartwarming story about a family's ability to withstand all adversity - that is what Pauls and Zālīte's musical Forest Swans will be in an unexpected, intriguing interpretation. The story is based on Hans Christian Andersen's unforgettable fairy tale.

Musicians performing in the production: Matīss Žilinskis (piano), Miķelis Dzenuška (synthesizers), Svens Vilsons (guitar), Beāte Meirāne (bass guitar), Pēteris Žīle (percussion)

Cast: Agate Grīnhofa or Katrīna Altenburga (Elīza), Domeniks Slišāns or Eduards Rediko (Youngest Brother), Niklāvs Kurpnieks, Toms Veličko, Kārlis Arnolds Avots, Daniels Loginovs, Tomass Denis, Pēteris Narubins, Ralfs Puzāns, Henrijs Kozlovskis, Viestards Valbe, Kārlis Mūrnieks (Brothers), Dainis Gaidelis (King), Ērika Eglija-Grāvele or Ieva Kerēvica or Kate Kokamegi (Young Queen, High Witch), Artis Robežnieks (Bedbug), Gints Grāvelis (Mosquito), Aldis Siliņš (Louse), Imants Strads (Tick), Gerda Igaune (Voice of the Sea), Gints Andžāns (Young King), Katrīna Griga (Minister, Old Seagull), Marta Lovisa Jančevska, Daniela Muižniece, Gerda Igaune, Justīne Skutāne, Annija Bildarte, Sintija Ceplauska, Kate Kokamegi (Roses, Ladies of the Court, Seagulls)

Librettist - Māra Zālīte, composer - Raimonds Pauls, director - Klāvs Mellis, movement director - Rūdolfs Gediņš, musical director - Juris Vaivods, scenography, costumes - Grāfienes, lighting designer - Reinis Zalte, music consultants - Ilze Dzenīte, Una Stade, Annija Putniņa, rehearsal pianist - Zane Kažēna