This solo concert by tenor Juris Vizbulis in the centenary of Latvia is devoted to one of the most outstanding Latvian composers Emīls Dārziņš and his special pearls in the music of Latvia – songs for solo voice.

 A selection of songs for solo voice by Emīls Dārziņš will be performed in a concert that reflects the soul of the composer and his deep world of feelings. Songs for solo voice are permeated by composer’s personality, life experiences and art, his passionate love, longing, pain, suffering, hopes and dreams.

Above all – true love of life and love for Latvia!

Tenor Juris Vizbulis has chosen songs for solo voice by Emīls Dārziņš for his solo concert program, because the musician finds them emotionally very close. The personality of Emīls Dārziņš, his story of life and creative work has always truly captivated and touched the performer. Juris Vizbulis first became introduced to songs for solo voice by Emīls Dārziņš at the age of 15, when he had been especially moved by the song “Lost luck” (Pazudusī laimīte). The tenor refers to each song for solo voice by Emīls Dārziņš with love and great respect, emphasizing that each song is like a huge revelation about the suffering of the composer’s soul, his endless longing to love and be loved.

 “Resignation – to long for, to live, to love, to enjoy and to suffer.” This is how Tenor Juris Vizbulis characterizes the idea of the solo concert, choosing the title of the dramatic song for solo voice by Emīls Dārziņš ‘Resignation’ (Rezignācija).

Poetry by contemporaries of Emīls Dārziņš – Jānis Poruks and Rainis will also be read during the concert by the Jaunais Rīgas teātris actor Ivars Krasts, depicting the feelings and sufferings referred to in the music.

Juris Vizbulis is one of the most outstanding new tenors in Latvia, whose voice and charms have delighted audiences both in Latvia and abroad. The singer participates in operas, operettas, performs recitals, and actively gives concerts both in Latvia and abroad, mainly in Italy, England, Austria and France, creating spiritual musical programs for voice and organ, participating in various musical projects and chamber music concerts.

He has formed an especially close cooperation in France, which the singer is visiting for the third year in a row with his solo concerts, cooperating with French organ players and giving concerts in churches.

Juris Vizbulis has performed the role of Bastien in the opera Bastien and Bastienna by W. A. Mozart, and the role of Herold in the chamber opera Lysistrate in the joint project of Switzerland and Latvia.

Tenor Juris Vizbulis is also currently participating in the Latvian National Opera and Ballet stagings Little Magic Flute by W. A. Mozart, Eugene Onegin by P. Tchaikovsky and the operetta The Bat by J. Strauss.

As a soloist he has also participated in performances of great works such as “Te Deum” by M. A. Charpentier, “Christmas oratorio” by C. Saint-Saëns and “Cantata in Nativitate Domini” by R. Dubra.

Pianist Rūdolfs Vanks will participate in the concert. The pianist has performed in concerts in Germany, Denmark, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Finland, France, Singapore, Malaysia, Armenia and elsewhere. Along active solo performances a special role in the pianist’s life is occupied by chamber music, where the musician has outstanding achievements cooperating with various musicians.

He has participated in more than fifty international competitions, and has been awarded 2nd place in Torneo Internazionale di Musica in Verona, Italy and 1st place in the Montrond les Bains competition in France, as well as 1st place in the Jeunesses Musicales competition in Bucharest, Romania. He has participated in concerts organised by the Holland Music Sessions in the Netherlands, in the Pimu Piano Music Festival in Helsinki, Kabardian Piano Festival in France, Summerwinds Music Festival in Munster, Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival in Germany, Riva del Garda Music Festival in Italy, Copenhagen Chamber Music Festival and La Schubertiade Concerts in Switzerland.

The concert program includes the most popular as well as less performed songs for solo voice by Emīls Dārziņš. It should be noted that Juris Vizbulis will perform the favourite song for solo voice “Spanish Romance” (Spāniešu romance) with lyrics by A. Pushkin in a special 1905 edition introduced during the life of Emīls Dārziņš.

Venue: Chamber Hall

Organised by: Association Mākslas pieskāriens