A brave, emancipated girl or a fragile, bereaved girl who went into battle out of desperation? At the very least, an opinion maker of those times, an orator who was able to convince skeptics that she could lead the resistance. Who is this girl who breaks stereotypes and inspires courage not only in women but also in men?

Countess Emilija Pliaterytė, the first in 1830-1831. Polish and Lithuanian captain and participant in the uprising against the Russian Empire. Who could have imagined that she would be played by the well-known performer, Eurovision finalist Monika Liu? According to the singer, we will see her in an unexpected role. This project promises an intriguing experience and will surprise even the biggest Monika Liu fans.

“Acting in the theater has always been my dream, but I never answered the question to myself – what kind of musical should it be and what character would I like to play. I can’t imagine what could be better than getting such a role – Emilia is an exceptional, real historical figure. It makes a lot of sense, and with that comes a huge responsibility. Emilija Pliaterytė is undoubtedly one of the great heroes of our history. Now I really understand where I got myself into, and that I am very happy and grateful for that,” says Monika Liu, the heroine of the upcoming play “Emilija”.

The musical drama “Emilija” is an ambitious project of the state ensemble “Lietuva”, which is scheduled to premiere this fall on the country’s biggest stages: October 25. in Vilnius “Twinsbet” arena, November 8. Klaipėda “Švyturio” arena, November 15. Panevėžys “Kalnapilis” arena, November 22. in Šiauliai Arena and on November 26. in Kaunas “Zalgiris” arena. Along with Monika Liu, other famous guest actors and performers will participate in the project – Mantas Zemleckas, Jovita Jankelaitytė, Andrius Kaniava, Tadas Girininkas, Žygimantas Galinis and others.

“Emilija Pliaterytė is from the 19th century. hero of the age, and we talk too little about our heroes. I often wondered why our state developed so rapidly, and I think that it was due to bright personalities, starting with Vytautas the Great and ending with Emilia. According to the story, they took bold steps and overcame everything with faith. And who is our hero today? Will we have heroes of the 21st century at all, who will they be?”, wonders the director of the play, Kęstutis Stasys Jakštas, who directed the collage opera “Mažvydas” with the ensemble “Lietuva”.

“Emilija” is a musical-historical drama, a monument to our country’s Joan of Arc, which proves that even a seemingly fragile personality can have a great influence in the fight for freedom, for ideas and for one’s country when necessary. It is a symbolic commemoration of the battle between the two nations, because, according to historians, Emilija Pliaterytė (Polish: Emilia Plater) is a hero of both Lithuanians and Poles.

The plot of the musical drama is based on real events, while also delving into the inner experiences of a young woman due to her love for her people, her husband, her mother, her father. Emilija Pliaterytė, who lives in the shadow of her parents’ constant conflict, has a closed way of life and has longed for freedom since she was a child. Emilija was not satisfied with the position of a woman in the family and society at that time, she did not want to be the “guardian of the hearth” supported only by her husband, she learned to shoot and fight with swords, and learned to ride well. When she learned that an uprising had started in Poland, Emilia changed into men’s clothes, cut her hair and went out with other rebels to overthrow the tsar’s rule. This is how the legend of Emilia Plater was born.

Historical events will be presented with modern stage art solutions – scenography, costumes, dance and music. Even four composers – Jievaras Jasinskis, Jonas Jurkūnas, Gintautas Venislovas and Rytas Svilainis create music for the performance adapted to national instruments, strings and electronics.

The State Ensemble “Liethuva” continues the campaign “Let’s grow the muscle of unity” and invites us to unite through the common history of all of us. A story that comes to life anew through prominent personalities on the musical theater stage.

The project partner is Artis Totus. Information partner – LRT. The project is partially financed by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania and the Ministry of National Defense.

DEVELOPERS:
Director-playwright: Kęstutis Stasys Jakštas
Composers: Jievaras Jasinskis, Jonas Jurkūnas, Gintautas Venislovas and Rytas Svilainis
Author of the script and libretto: Sandra Bernotaitė
Scenography artist: Gintaras Makarevičius
Costume designer: Olga Filatova-Kontrimienė
Choreographer: Aušra Krasauskaitė
Male conductor: Egidijus Kaveckas
Assistant director: Giedrė Kriaučionytė-Vosylienė
Light artist: Eugenijus Sabaliauskas

SOLOISTS:
Emilia Pliaterytė: Monika Liu
Emilia’s cousin Cezars Pliateris: Mantas Zemleckas
Adjutant Marija Prušinskaitė: Jovita Jankelaitytė
Emilia’s mother Ana von Mol: Ilona Pliavgo
Russian General Mikhail Kablukov: Tadas Girininkas
Mykolas Pliateris: Donatas Kaikaris
Cossack commander Verzulin: Žygymantas Galinis
Father Pranciškus Xaveras Broel-Pliateris: Zenius Sakalauskas
Poet: Andrius Kaniava
Priest: Vaidas Bartušas / Paulius Klangauskas

ARTISTS:
State Ensemble “Lietuva” and guest musicians