VILNIUS FESTIVAL 2005
9th festival
22 May – 28 June, 2005

The ninth Vilnius Festival brings back to Vilnius stars of the world stage and introduces performers that have never performed here. Jazz great Chick Corea has performed in Vilnius eleven years ago, while world famous cellist Mischa Maisky, who was born in Riga, will visit Lithuania for the first time. Festival will also introduce to Lithuanian audiences such stars of today’s international concert scene as conductor Sakari Oramo, violin virtuoso Sarah Chang, and one of the leading tenors of the day Marcelo Álvarez. Irish pianist Barry Douglas, Portuguese fado star Misia and master of traditional Indian sarod Wajahat Khan will add romantic undertones to the Festival.

As every year, the Vilnius Festival pays great attention to the Lithuanian music culture and presents a new work by the Lithuanian composer Anatolijus Šenderovas. His ballet Desdemona will unite the best creative forces. The complex score of the ballet is prepared by Robertas Šervenikas, who will be conducting two projects at the Festival.

The stages of the Festival will be graced not only by the leading Lithuanian music companies and ensembles such as Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre, Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra, and Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra, Vilnius Festival Orchestra and Čiurlionis Quartet, but also by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra renowned for its monumental performances.

On behalf of the tireless organisers and sponsors of the Vilnius Festival, I wish you joyous and enthusiastic musical experiences!

Gintautas Kėvišas,
Director of the Vilnius Festival