ZIGMAR LIEPIŅŠ’S MASS. NATIONAL HOLIDAY CONCERT

The program for the celebration of Latvia’s 108th birthday at the concert hall will gather the brightest artists of academic music, giving us a much-needed dose of light and hope in the darkest time of the year. At its center will be Zigmar Liepiņš’s monumental Mass, which in the first part of the concert will be complemented by one of the most beautiful, romantic, and important symphonies in Latvian music - Jāzeps Mediņš’s Symphony No. 2 “In Spring”.

The central message of Zigmar Liepiņš’s Mass is: grant us peace! The Mass was composed in the spring of 2020, when many of us were in a rather deep state of uncertainty, ignorance, and yes, fear of death. Who could have predicted back then that in the year the Mass would receive its premiere, Russia would invade Ukraine and the world would become tangled in many difficult-to-unravel knots. And here we have a traditional Mass, but in an unconventional way - in Latvian.

The seed of the Mass lies in the desire of the composer and his spouse to solemnize their union in a church. The Mass emerged from conversations with a pastor. The Mass was born from an inability to write something small, something greater had to come.

This absolutely beautiful work will be performed under the direction of the well-known and audience-beloved conductor Jānis Liepiņš by the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra and the State Academic Choir “Latvija”, whose sound will be enriched by the male vocal ensemble “Auxilium”.

The crystal-clear message of the Mass will be delivered to us by two talented soloists with a wide creative range, who have earned acclaim not only in Latvia but also in many parts of Europe - “Great Music Award 2023” laureate Katrīna Paula Felsberga and Ilze Grēvele-Skaraine. This work is also unthinkable without the full-bodied sound of the organ, provided by Aigars Reinis, music director of Riga Dome Cathedral and cathedral organist.

Mass - from the outside inward, from the crowd to solitude - to oneself. And at the core of it all, a quiet voice - grant us peace!

Featuring:

Katrīna Paula Felsberga - soprano

Ilze Grēvele-Skaraine - soprano

Aigars Reinis - organ

Male vocal group “Auxilium”

State Academic Choir “Latvija”

Liepāja Symphony Orchestra

Conductor Jānis Liepiņš

Program:

PART I

Jāzeps MEDIŅŠ Symphony No. 2 “In Spring”

PART II

Zigmar LIEPIŅŠ Mass

Venue: Great Hall

Duration: concert in two parts, approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes

Recommended age: 7+

Organized by: Great Amber

Supported by: Liepāja Municipality and the State Culture Capital Foundation

Tickets: from EUR 15.00

As the event approaches, the ticket price may change.

Discounts:

For pupils, students, teachers, and pensioners - 25%

For persons with Group I and II disabilities, as well as their companions - 50%

For holders of the Honorary Family Certificate (“3+ Family Card”) or LT (“Šeimos kortelė”), or EST (“Perekaart”) - 25%

NB: When attending the concert, the visitor must present a document confirming the discount.

Group tickets:

10-30 people - 20%

30 or more people - 25%