The Vana Tallinn Baltic Opera Gala took place on the stage of the Estonian National Opera and Ballet for the first time on 4 September, bringing together leading soloists from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The gala marked the launch of a new annual collaboration format that will rotate between the three Baltic countries.

“The Baltic Opera Gala was made possible by the cultural cooperation agreement signed last year between the national opera companies of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Its aim is to expand artistic collaboration and introduce audiences to the finest opera talent and musicians of the Baltic countries. The programme was jointly devised by the chief conductors of the three opera houses, Arvo Volmer, Mārtiņš Ozoliņš and Ričardas Šumila. While the Baltic Opera Gala will take place in a different country each year, the Vana Tallinn Gala will continue as an annual tradition for opera audiences here in Estonia,” said Ott Maaten, Director General of the Estonian National Opera and Ballet.

Estonia was represented by soprano Kadri Raalik, bass Raiko Raalik and tenor Yixuan Wang; Lithuania by soprano Gabrielė Bukinė and baritone Steponas Zonys; and Latvia by mezzo-soprano Irma Pavāre and tenor Mārtiņš Šmaukstelis. They were joined on stage by the Estonia National Opera Orchestra and Chorus, with Arvo Volmer conducting.

“I am delighted that the first Baltic Opera Gala bore the name of Vana Tallinn, Estonia’s signature drink, and also provided the setting for the first presentation of its new bottle and design. For many companies, the Baltic region is their home market, and the same is true for Liviko. The cultures of our three countries each have a distinctive character that deserves to be discovered. I am confident that these shared gala evenings in Tallinn, Vilnius and Riga will offer unforgettable experiences and further strengthen the good relations between our neighbouring countries. I wish this new tradition a long life,” said Enn Kunila, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of AS Liviko.

The next Baltic Opera Gala will take place in Lithuania on 8 May 2027. The Vana Tallinn Gala will return to the Estonian National Opera and Ballet at the end of summer 2027.

Gallery: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/qr1ik0ngfr67eyetsh29k/AEs5SWeUUo5FLW0G-ebiiIY?rlkey=r34cc97xtu3frtkrjfjnpobnp&st=h6k8jojp&dl=0  (photographers Erlend Štaub and Kalev Lilleorg).

The concert recording will be broadcast by the national television channels of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
Baltic Opera Gala will air on ETV tonight, 5 September, at 9.35 pm and will remain available to watch on demand on Jupiter.