The oratorio “13” looked at historical Lithuania at night through the eyes of a child
Especially famous for this project is the famous Latvian composer Eschenwald, whose works are known and performed all over the world.
Together with the ensemble “Lietuva”, the acting oratorio will be performed by the Vilnius Choir, guest orchestra performers and soloists evaluated by the audience – actors Vladas Bagdonas and Vytautas Rumšas alternately, folklore performer Rasa Serra, opera soloist Jovita Vaškevičiūtė, youngest soloist of the project Aodoras Lipčius , Osvaldas Petraška and Saulius Vasiliauskis.
The patron of the project is the Kazickai Family Foundation. The premiere will take place on January 14th. In Kaunas, later visiting other major Lithuanian cities.
The program is like a performance
“The oratorio will sound different than usual. There are many theaters and their manifestations here, and the program itself is like a performance. That form is changing in the world, we will no longer see only a standing and singing choir, which is typical for a concert oratorio performance.
In terms of content, the works will merge into a single narrative, and each part of the oratorio will have its own purpose. A historical, influential program with experiences of struggle, but bright and hopeful music “, – director Leokadija Dabužinskaitė, who also created the ensemble’s Baltic mystery” Gods and People “.
The author of the music of the oratorio “13” Ē.Ešenvaldas has won the Latvian Grand Music Prize three times and won international recognition, and his works are performed by such world groups as the Boston and Birmingham Symphony Orchestras, language choirs and others.
History – through family experience
The oratorio, for which Arnas Ališauskas wrote the libretto, reveals the events of that time through one family experience. It is conveyed through the eyes of the child, mother and father, all their states and sensitive inner experiences. They are strengthened by the voices of the narrators V. Bagdonas and V. Rumšas the elder, the motifs of Lithuanian folk songs, shouts, prayers and hymns.
“Historical memory is through the future, through our children. Therefore, the oratorio looks at the child’s gaze – we kind of pass on to him what we have, what we have witnessed. After all, the children were in the square with their parents, watching through the windows or on the streets.
We need to know, remember and value our history, and we have chosen to reflect those events through one family. Individual works work extremely emotionally, ”said director L. Dabužinskaitė, who was awarded the Knight’s Cross by the President for her services to Lithuania.
The new oratorio will reflect on text, music and modern choreography uncharacteristic of this genre, which will mean for some a return to the night of January 13th, for others a deeper understanding of what Vilnius, Lithuania and its people actually lived at that time. For the first time, the choirs of “Lietuvos” and “Vilniaus” will unite their forces, the common mass scenes of which will sound most suggestive.
An age of sensitivity
The Kazickas family, who patronized the project, recalled their experience, which is close to the plot of the oratorio and the events of January 13th.
“The members of the Kaziai family, like many other Lithuanians abroad, have experienced a period of turbulent deaths in the struggle for freedom and independence of Lithuania, so it is not surprising that their memory has been supported by the Foundation.
I am glad that under the auspices of the presentation of the oratorio “13” to the society of the country, and in the future to its compatriots, the Foundation is fostering Lithuanian national culture, promoting it and strengthening its patriotism, “said Agnė Vertelkaitė, Head of the Vilnius Branch of the Kazickas Family Foundation.
According to the project sponsors, supporting such projects is especially important.
“The Kazicki family was forced to leave for the United States during the Soviet occupation, but they never forgot their homeland, did not lose faith and supported Lithuanians and activities in Lithuania all the time.
The Kazickai Family Foundation has been operating in this patriotic spirit for more than two decades, focusing on education and social projects, as well as cultural, health, religious and charitable organizations. ”
Most of the creators of the oratorio “13” are recognizable from another program of the ensemble “Lietuva” – the collage opera “Mažvydas”. The author of the libretto is A. Ališauskas, the winner of the prize of the Institute of Lithuanian Literature and Folklore. The orator of the oratorio is Gintaras Makarevičius, working with such directors as Oskaras Koršunovas, Gintaras Varnas, Jonas Vaitkus, Éric Lacascade. The costume designer is Olga Filatova-Kontrimienė, who created costumes not only for Mažvydas, but also for dance performances at the Anželika Cholina Theater.
The choreography is created by the director L. Dabužinskaitė and the head of the ensemble “Lietuva”. ballet master Aušra Krasauskaitė, winner of the Golden Stage Cross and Thanksgiving Mask. Projection artist – Vaclovas Nevčesauskas.
2022 The premiere, in memory of Defenders of Freedom Day, continued its tour of Kaunas in the cities of another country on January 18. Alytus, January 28. Panevėžys, February 4 In Marijampolė, February 11. Klaipeda and February 18 In Vilnius. 2023-2024 the oratorio is scheduled to be repeated on the occasion of January 13th.