Collage opera "Mažvydas"

Based on the drama by Justinas Marcinkevičius

Returning to the stage is the collage opera "Mažvydas" based on Just. Marcinkevičius, which left no one indifferent and earned successful acclaim. For this evening, an exceptional creative team and audience-favorite actors and performers will gather once again: Giedrius Arbačiauskas, Jovita Vaškevičiūtė, Rokas Laureckis, Rokas Spalinskas, Dovilė Kazonaitė, and others.

One of the largest projects by the ensemble "Lietuva" has been receiving huge interest from audiences for six years now – after the performances, positive impressions and thanks are shared, people travel to the shows even several times, and those who have not had the chance to see "Mažvydas" are invited to do so once again. Fans of musical theater and the late writer were not left indifferent by the suggestive text, heart-wrenching arias, inspiring stories of the heroes, and music that combines various styles.

"Simply pride in each and every one of you. Every little piece of the performance, every breath. The gazes of the choir members, the plasticity of the dancers, the emotions of the performers. It seemed that the audience in the hall even stopped breathing; such silence and concentration prevailed throughout the entire performance, and after it, a huge sea of applause, shouts of admiration, flowers, and a tear of emotion that rolled down more than one cheek. It is incredible that one can convey Lithuanian identity and the "Mažvydas" we all know so well so tastefully, easily, professionally, and modernly," viewers spoke in the public space.

A unique musical performance "Mažvydas," combining history and poetry, real facts and creative freedom, tells the story of Martynas Mažvydas, the author of the first Lithuanian book, the "Catechism," his dramatic and complex life, challenges, and reality in the 16th century, against the backdrop of major political and religious changes.

Exile, longing for a loved one, and difficult choices – actor and singer G. Arbačiauskas identifies with such a Mažvydas. He first and foremost looks for the human – doubting, having sacrificed much, yet unbroken. "In this drama, Mažvydas sacrifices a lot; he has to make huge decisions. Sometimes we choose what seems more important, but over time we realize how much we miss what we gave up. Touching such a person and such material is a huge gift – here we are talking about humanity, our language, and our identity, where we came from and where we are going," says G. Arbačiauskas.

"How do we hope to touch the hearts of the audience again? Through the honest work of the entire team. Emotion, the word, and the depth of that word are important here. The theme of Mažvydas is the inherent things of Lithuanians, the eternal theme of exile. It inspires faith that even the deeds done by one person determine the existential future of the entire nation. In our nation, there are personalities and creators who are worthy of the attention of a global audience," is convinced the director of the collage opera, Kęstutis Stasys Jakštas.