“This music is pure delight for the soul, simple, heartfelt and deep”- this is what writer Kārlis Skalbe said back in the 1920 when the first opera in Latvian written by Latvian authors and performed at the Latvian National Opera.
At the turn of the century Latvian society saw a rise of its national pride and culture, consequently, the demand for music by Latvian composers and grew and so did the necessity for creation of a national opera. In 1903. the call for libretto submissions was announced and the prize goes to an architecture student Artūrs Krūmiņš. Several years go by in political bickering and finally in 1918. composer Alfrēds Kalniņš starts writing the music and the opera sees its premiere at the Latvian National Opera 2 years later.
Since then, “Baņuta” has seen its history develop along the history or Latvian nation – many versions, redactions, “improvements”. Since its premiere, the leading role has been sung by many of the primadonnas of LNO. Since the 70ies, this work has become the pivotal opus in the life of maestro Aleksandrs Viļumanis: “Alfrēds Kalniņš has managed to capture something truly and deeply Latvian in this work. This is undoubtedly most brilliant work in the Latvian operatic genre. Therefore, I always treated this work with the utmost respect and love. It cannot leave one untouched by its melodism, beauty and national sentiment.
Now, after 20 years since the last performance of the opera, a new contemporary version of the work is in production. Berlin’s "Hauen und Stechen" theatre in collaboration with Latvian artists plans to create a film version of the opera but the musical performance of the work is scheduled for the Spring on 2021 in a chamber opera setting. Baņuta’s role will be sung by three sopranos - Sniedze Kaņepe, Laura Grecka un Angela Brauna. Musical director – Jēkabs Nīmanis, dramaturgist – Evarts Melnalksnis, stage director – Franziska Kronfoth.