As Latvia eases back into new-normal after COVID-19 crisis, music sector is still heavily affected – more than other enterprises. Public and private events are still limited to only 25 attendees, most concerts happen via video streaming services. The benefit of that, of course, is that they are available from all over the world (don’t miss the concerts of this year’s Riga festival, for example). There is one pleasant exception though. Read more about what Latvian music has to offer in the coming weeks!
Update: The number of attendees for public concerts has been raised to 100 for indoor events and 300 for outdoor events.
Riga festival takes place from June 8 to 11 with three concerts streamed online. Pianist Vestards Šimkus will open the festival on June 8 at 21.00 from Dzintari Concert Hall featuring a programme of music by Claude Debussy. Then, on June 10 also at 21.00 from St John’s Church in Riga we will be able to enjoy a program “Prayer for the Night” by Trio Angelicus (Elīna Šimkus, soprano; Ieva Šablovska, harp; Sondra Lejmalniece, flute). Music by Mediņš, Grieg, Rangstrom, Dubra and others. Festival will conclude with June 11 concert from Spīķeri Concert hall featuring percussion ensemble Perpetuum Ritmico (also 21:00) with music by Piazzolla, Bizet, Maskats and others. The access to theses performances can be purchased here – bilesuparadize.lv
Update: Concerts will be open to public. Tickets - bilesuparadize.lv
Culture place “Hanzas perons” continues it’s highly sought after live concert-lecture series “Concert in the First Row”. Creative team featuring actor Andris Keišs, musicians Jēkabs Nīmanis and Artūrs Bērziņš and singer/songwriter Shipsea will be joined by pianist Vestards Šimkus in this programme. Space is limited to 25 attendees. Performances will take place on June 11, 12 & 13. Starting times - 18:00. 19:30 and 21:00. Tickets - bilesuserviss.lv
Wind Ensemble “Riga” will stream a special programme on June 14 commemorating the mass deportations of 1941 by the Soviet Union. Titled “Music for the deported”, programme will feature works by Indra Riše, Vilnis Šmīdbergs, Jānis Mediņš and W. A. Mozart. The performance will be available for free on ReTV channel as well as on Wind Ensemble’s “Riga” Facebook page.
Update: Riga Saxophone Quartet invites to attend their live performance of eclectic program titled "Bach. Groove. Saxophones" featuring percussionist Guntars Freibergs. The performance will take place in Liepāja Concert Hall " The Great Aber" ar 18:00 and will be also streamed live. More info -