Closing concert: Manuel de Falla's opera "La vida breve"

08 30 19:30 Pažaislis Monastery Closing Concert Manuel de Falla: opera LA VIDA BREVE (concert performance)

Performers: Lithuanian state symphony orchestra Artistic Director and Chief Conductor Gintaras Rinkevičius Kaunas state choir Artistic Director and Chief Conductor Robertas Šervenikas

Soloists: Salud – ADRIANA GONZÁLEZ (soprano, Guatemala) Paco – EDGARAS MONTVIDAS (tenor) Salud's Grandmother – JUSTINA GRINGYTĖ (mezzo-soprano) Uncle Sarvaor – JORIS RUBINOVAS (bass) Manuel – ROMANAS KUDRIAŠOVAS (baritone) Townsman, Blacksmith – TOMAS PAVILIONIS (tenor) Carmela – UGNĖ STRAŽINSKAITĖ (mezzo-soprano)

Featuring: Verónica Pulido (flamenco dance, Spain) Ricardo Fernández del Moral Pozuelo (flamenco guitar, Spain)

Conductor GINTARAS RINKEVIČIUS

The 31st Pažaislis Music Festival invites listeners to a grand closing concert, featuring the first-ever Lithuanian performance of Spanish composer Manuel de Falla's opera "La Vida Breve" (concert performance). This rarely performed work will be presented by the Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra and the Kaunas State Choir, conducted by Artistic Director Gintaras Rinkevičius.

The main roles in the opera will be performed by internationally acclaimed soloists: Adriana González (Salud), Edgaras Montvidas (Paco), Justina Gringytė (Salud's Grandmother), Joris Rubinovas (Uncle Sarvaor), Romanas Kudriašovas (Manuel), and Tomas Pavilionis (Townsman, Blacksmith). The concert atmosphere will be enriched by the performances of a flamenco guitarist and dancer.

Manuel de Falla's opera is one of the most significant Spanish musical works of the early 20th century, characterized by strong folk influences and the authentic spirit of Andalusia. Created in 1905 and premiered in 1913, the opera stands out for its concise form, intense dramaturgy, and unique balance between vocal and instrumental music. The work reveals the composer's aspiration to create music based on emotional truth and cultural identity.

"La Vida Breve" conveys the drama of the young gypsy Salud—a story of love, betrayal, and social contrasts that comes to life in M. de Falla's music with compelling realism. This one-hour opera is considered a significant turning point in the history of Spanish music, helping to establish the revival of the national style.

The festival's closing concert is an exceptional opportunity to hear this rarely performed work in the unique setting of the Pažaislis Monastery.