Composer Laimis Vilkončius on “Creation of the World”: “I needed a fantasy that will reveal human relationships” | Tradition

This time, Gintaras Rinkevičius and the Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra below his management undertook to implement the concept of ​​L. Vilkončius and the creator of the libretto, Daiva Čepauskaitė.

Within the premiere, outstanding soloists will play the principle roles: Ieva Prudnikovaitė, Jeronimas Milius, Egidijus Bavikinas, Steponas Zonys, Ona Kolobovaitė and the Kaunas State Choir (conductor Robertas Šervernikas).

How the concept of ​​the work was born, what the listener shall be in a position to consider and what to anticipate, earlier than the premiere on Thursday, we speak with the creator and composer of the opera “The Creation of the World”, L. Vilkonciumis.

— Expensive Laimi, Might 23. The premiere of your newest work – the opera “The creation of the world” shall be carried out within the LVSO live performance corridor. How did the concept for this piece come about?

— The concept arose virtually instantly after the premiere of “Eglė”. I’ve been fascinated about musical stage dramaturgy for a while. Opera, musical, ballet, thriller. So after “Eglė” I started to consider what my subsequent work can be. Once more, I needed a fantasy, when, leaving the plot, you may immerse your self in folks’s relationships, their feelings, which in any case don’t change all through the ages. It is love and hate, loyalty and betrayal. We do not know a lot about one other Lithuanian fantasy of this degree, scope, and drama. That is when the concept arose to motive concerning the creation of man. Solely not in a biblical plot, however because the world was created by the traditional Lithuanian pagan gods.

— You developed the concept of ​​the work along with the poet and playwright Daiva Čepauskaita. How did your paths meet?

— I used to be actually in search of a librettist for a very long time. A colleague really helpful the nice poet and playwright to me. We met on my initiative, apparently managed to realize Daiva’s belief, obtained excited concerning the concept, began to correspond, sharing concepts. The libretto for “The Creation of the World” was born possibly solely in a yr and a half. By the best way, that is our second large-scale joint work. In January, we offered the thriller “On the behest of the solar”. There may be additionally a 3rd concept within the plans. Its premiere is scheduled for 2025. I cannot reveal the concept but. Certainly, once you start to collaborate with such an awesome author, you get lots of new concepts.

— How did you handle to gather materials for the plot of the opera? What sources did you utilize?

— We collected the fabric actually onerous. Virtually no written sources from the pagan interval have survived. Subsequently, I needed to learn many historic books, get acquainted with the event of all religions, together with paganism, on this planet. Sadly, this was not an acceptable plot for an opera. We consulted with the ethnologist, professor Liberts Klimka. The professor inspired them to create the plot themselves. At first, I used to be hesitant, however little by little I discovered concepts, dramaturgical twists. I met with Inija Trinkūniene, the Elder Kriv of at this time’s Lithuanian pagans. From her I obtained genuine pagan hymn tunes, which I used extensively within the rating.

— Possibly you may reveal somewhat concerning the plot of the opera? What’s the fundamental concept behind “The Creation of the World”?

— From the fragments concerning the world created by the pagan gods, solely the “testimony” remained that the creator god needed to dive into the underside, scoop up mud and create the earth from it. And from this it may be concluded that to start with there was solely water. And naturally the immortal gods. Logic means that the water was as clear as a tear and as clean as glass. As a result of there was no wind, the water was not uneven. A moderately boring sight. Boredom is felt by essentially the most highly effective pagan goddess Žemyna. The pursuit of aesthetics and sweetness is attribute of a lady. The continent realizes that magnificence can solely seem after the creation of the earth, nature, and thus man. Subsequently, the Goddess calls her two sons, Praamžiai and Velina, to create the earth. The eldest son Praamžius shortly understands his mom’s need and begins creating. In the meantime, his youthful brother Velin would not suppose the rest is required after they’re immortal, all-ruling gods. He argues about all the things, contradicts, despises his brother’s willpower. Eternity creates a good looking, mother-like Earth Continent. In an effort to show that he also can create magnificence, Velina creates a maiden of extraordinary magnificence, Aušrinė, and needs to admire her alone. He will get offended when Aušrinė refuses to belong to him. In the meantime, the Everlasting creates a Man accidentally. Man feels himself the ruler not solely of the Earth, however of the entire world, and begins to argue with the Everlasting, which ones is the creator. Such is the intrigue of the opera. And the way it all ends may be seen by visiting the premiere.

— The piece shall be carried out by Lithuanian stage stars Ieva Prudnikovaitė, Jeronimas Milius, Egidijus Bavikinas, Steponas Zonys and Ona Kolobovaitė, the Kaunas State Choir and the Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra. Did you have already got particular artists in thoughts when writing the music?

— Sure, I predicted some soloists whereas creating the rating. Nonetheless, we lastly determined along with G. Rinkevičius. This isn’t the primary time now we have cooperated and we’re all the time in search of frequent options. The maestro’s opinion is essential to me. I’m particularly glad that each one the performers are artists with nice expertise. We’re speaking to you earlier than the joint rehearsals have even began, however I really feel fairly calm that all the things shall be skilled and of top quality.

— What can the listener anticipate when he comes to listen to this opera?

— To begin with, the listener will hear a non-rock opera. I perceive that this might be anticipated after “Eglė”. This time I needed to go within the path of a barely totally different musical language. Nonetheless, the music in “The Creation of the World” is admittedly “wolfish”. Nicely, all the things will sound within the reconstructed LVSO live performance corridor with considerably improved acoustics. So it is actually value coming.

The premiere of the Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra’s opera “Creation of the World” by L. Vilkončius will happen in 2024. Might 23 LVSO live performance corridor.