Opera light. One evening – two operas
One evening – two operas: “Turandot’s Riddles” and “The Marriage of Figaro”
August 14, 2025, at 7:00 PM
Narva Kreenholm Manufactory Opera Stage
OPERA LIGHT: ENIGMAS OF TURANDOT
A stylised concert of the opera by G. Puccini
Turandot – Julija Karaliūnaitė (LT)
Calaf – Alejo Ruiz (Argentina/Germany)
Liu – Monika Kučinska (LT)
Timur – Jonas Sakalauskas (LT)
We invite the audience to experience a drama of bitter hatred and unexpected love in the court of the Chinese Emperor. Giacomo Puccini’s (1858–1924) final opera, Turandot, was left unfinished at the time of his death and later completed by composer Franco Alfano, premiering in 1926. The opera was written at the beginning of the 20th century, a period marked by the rise of dictators and political upheaval, on the brink of world wars and globalisation. The turbulent era is also reflected in the cultural works of the time.
The plot of Turandot is based on an ancient Persian tale, later adapted into a play of the same name by Friedrich Schiller. The story centres on three powerful archetypes: the Dictator, the Fanatic, and the Martyr. Which character represents which archetype is left for the audience’s interpretation.
Producers:
VšĮ Opera Light , Sapieha Palace
Concept by: Ričardas Rickevičius
OPERA LIGHT: THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO
A stylized performance of opera “Marriage of Figaro” by W.A. Mozart
Il Conte – Mindaugas Tomas Miškinis (LT)
Contessa – Joana Gedmintaitė (LT)
Figaro – Jonas Sakalauskas (LT)
Susanna – Emilija Finagejevaitė (LT)
– “The Marriage of Figaro” (Le Nozze di Figaro, 1786) is presented in a new Opera Light format. The respectful contemporary interpretation invites the audience to experience the core essence of the classic opera by listening to its key arias and ensembles while following the main plot and emotional arcs.
Concept by: Ričardas Rickevičius
Producers: VšĮ Opera Light, Sapieha Palace
1st shows were produced together with th Sapieha Palace in Vilnius in 2025 in the cycle “The Essence of Opera”.
Turandot will be performed by soprano Julija Karaliūnaitė, whose repertoire includes key spinto soprano roles such as Adriana Lecouvreur, Rusalka, and Tatjana. She has performed these roles in Estonia and Israel. Currently, the soloist is preparing for the new production of Amilcare Ponchielli’s opera Lietuviai at the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre.
Calaf will be performed by Alejo Ruiz – an Argentine and German tenor, currently residing in Vienna. Throughout his career, he has performed roles such as Rodolfo (La Bohème), Turiddu (Cavalleria Rusticana), Max (Der Freischütz), and Siegmund (Die Walküre). He also performed the role of Tamino in Die Zauberflöte at the prestigious Oper im Berg festival in Salzburg. At the end of this year, he plans a concert tour with the Plovdiv (Bulgaria) Symphony Orchestra.
The role of Liu will be performed by Monika Kučinska, who has been collaborating with Vilnius City Opera since 2019. She has sung in the operas E-Carmen, The Queen of Spades, Tosca, Faust, Il Trovatore, and Cosi fan tutte.
The role of the Countess will be performed by Joana Gedmintaitė, a two-time recipient of the Golden Stage Cross, and a soloist at the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre (LNOBT), where she has created over 20 leading soprano roles. In the LNOBT production of The Marriage of Figaro, J. Gedmintaitė has sung both the roles of Susanna and the Countess. Her performance of the Countess role was also heard in 2023 at the National Opera House of Macedonia. In 2024, J. Gedmintaitė performed in two premieres – in G. Puccini’s opera Gianni Schicchi at the LNOBT and in P. Glass’s opera The Voyage at the Klaipėda Musical Theatre.
Mindaugas Tomas Miškinis will perform the role of Count Almaviva. Mindaugas Tomas is a Lithuanian baritone and a member of the Young Artist Programme at the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre. He has performed roles such as Marcello in La Bohème, Count Almaviva in Le nozze di Figaro, Marco in Gianni Schicchi, and several other roles on the LNOBT stage. He is scheduled to sing Escamillo in Carmen in the upcoming season. Mindaugas is currently working on a broad range of operatic repertoire while continuing his vocal and stage development both in Lithuania and abroad.
The roles of Timur and Figaro will be performed by Jonas Sakalauskas, a recipient of the Golden Stage Cross. He performed in LNOBT productions and took part in opera performances in Latvia and Estonia. His clever fiancée, Suzanna, will be portrayed by Emilija Finagejevaitė, a soloist who participated in the LNOBT traineeship program in 2022–2023. She has performed roles in G. Verdi’s operas Aida and La Traviata. E. Finagejevaitė and J. Sakalauskas also performed the roles of Figaro and Susanna together at the National Opera Theatre of Macedonia in 2023 and at the Bergedorf Music Festival in Hamburg, Germany, in 2024.
Narrator – Young opera singer Ervinas Jasevičius (LT)
Piano – Ekaterina Porizko (GE)
String quartet
Costumes of Turandot – Sandra Straukaitė
Script by Ričardas Rickevičius and Mindaugas Valiukas
The concept of Opera Light is unique. A new character – the narrator – is added to the abridged opera, who introduces the protagonists, clarifies the plotlines and becomes an equal partner of the soloists. Through a contemporary yet respectful interpretation of the classical work, audiences are invited to experience the essence of the opera by listening to its key arias and ensembles, and following its central plotline and emotional arcs.
Ticket Information:
- Regular ticket: €25
- Discounted ticket: €15
(valid for students, teachers, pensioners, and visitors with disabilities upon presenting appropriate documentation at the venue)
- Supporter ticket: €50
(includes seating in the front rows)
Free admission:
– for companions of visitors with special needs
– for children with special needs (up to 18 years old)
– for children up to and including 6 years old
Tickets are available via piletilevi.ee or at the venue one hour before the performance.
This year, the weather hasn’t been kind, so we’ve decided to move all events indoors at Kreenholm.
In this case, the stage and audience seating will be protected from the rain.
The organizer reserves the right to change the festival program and make other adjustments related to the event’s organization.
