Three National Prize winners on one stage!!!

Asmik Grigorian, Edgaras Montvidas, Gintaras Rinkevičius and the Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra present their first joint GALA concert on 26 December. The first Gala Gala concert will take place on 26th of July in Kaunas, at Žalgiris Arena.

Two world-renowned opera soloists and the most professional orchestra conducted by the much-loved maestro – could there be a better Christmas present for classical music lovers!

And not only for them – such personalities on one stage often create a miracle that leaves no one indifferent.

The GALA concert of exceptional talents is like a magnificent mosaic, where the jewel of each aria has its perfect place.

Listening to Asmik Grigorian and Edgars Montvidas on the second night of Christmas is not only beautiful and majestic, it is even a little bit sacred.

Asmik Grigorian is fiery but fragile. Her dramatic soprano is hypnotic, enchanting to the core.

Edgaras Montvidas is artistic, highly subtle and intelligent, demonstrating impeccable tenor vocal technique.

Gintaras Rinkevičius – legendary Lithuanian conductor. Maestro, under whose leadership the Symphony Orchestra presents the highest level of professionalism.

These three people of exceptional talent take the time to personally plan the programme of the GALA concert at Žalgiris Arena, to coordinate the details that will create a splendid Christmas mood in Kaunas Arena.

They share both deep professional ties and a warm personal connection that will turn the performance into not only a parade of perfect vocals, but also a cosy evening full of unbridled emotions.

When talking about their talent, I often like to use the expression “God’s gift”. But opera soloists would disagree. They know how much work and sweat goes into becoming the best in the world. Asmik Grigorian was named the 2019 winner of the International Opera Awards (for her performance as Salome in the eponymous production of Richard Strauss’s opera by Romeo Castellucci). This was not an isolated event: Asmik collects honourable mentions like apples in a basket. In the same year, the influential international magazine Opernwelt named her Singer of the Year. In Lithuania, she won the highest cultural award, the National Prize for Culture and Art. And in 2023, the Lithuanian soloist was honoured with the prestigious Opus Klassik award from the German radio station Opus Klassik.

With La Scala in Milan, London’s Royal Opera House, the Vienna State Opera, the Bastille Opera in Paris and the Metropolitan Opera in New York, when the whole world wants to see this extraordinarily talented singer, it is a great gift and a privilege to be able to hear her with a special programme at the GALA concert in Kaunas.
Prestigious and, for many, dreamlike stages are also the daily routine of Edgars Montvidas, Lithuania’s most famous tenor based in London. He has already created and performed more than 40 memorable roles: He has performed at the English National Opera, the Royal Opera, Covent Garden, Cincinnati Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Dutch National Opera, the Aix Festival in Provence, Geneva, Frankfurt, Lyon, Opera Comique in Paris, La Monnaie in Brussels, and Strasbourg, among others. In 2023, the soloist was awarded the Lithuanian National Prize for Culture and Art for his successful creative activity.

Edgaras Montividas will come to the GALA Concert in between his performances at the Berlin State Opera Unter den Linden, where he plays the role of Steva Buryjo in Leoš Janáček’s opera “Jenufa” (conducted by Antonello Manacorda and directed by Damiano Michieletto).

Maestro Gintaras Rinkevičius was awarded the National Prize for Arts and Culture in 1994. He has led the LVSO since its foundation in 1988. He is its founder, artistic director and chief conductor. He is a holder of the Order of the Grand Duke of Lithuania Gediminas, IV degree, holder of the Grand Cross of the Commander of the Order of Merit for Lithuania, holder of the Order of the Three Stars of Latvia, holder of the Order of the Kingdom of Norway for the Order of Merit and the Order of the Ordem do Merito Comendador of Portugal, and a winner of prestigious international competitions and prizes.