Vana Tallinn Baltic Opera Gala brings together leading soloists from three countries

The first Vana Tallinn Baltic Opera Gala brought leading soloists from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania onto the stage of the Estonian National Opera on September 4. The event launched a new annual format that will move between the three Baltic states.

The gala grew out of a cultural agreement signed last year by the national opera companies of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The agreement aims to expand creative cooperation and introduce audiences to the best of Baltic opera and its musicians. The concert program was assembled jointly by the three opera houses’ chief conductors: Arvo Volmer, Mārtiņš Ozoliņš and Ričardas Šumila.

Estonia was represented by soprano Kadri Raalik, bass Raiko Raalik and tenor Yixuan Wang. Lithuania sent soprano Gabrielė Bukinė and baritone Steponas Zonys, while Latvia was represented by mezzo-soprano Irma Pavāre and tenor Mārtiņš Šmaukstelis. The Estonia orchestra and choir performed under Volmer’s direction.

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The Baltic Opera Gala came about thanks to the cultural agreement signed last year between the national operas of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, whose aim is to expand creative cooperation and introduce audiences to the best of Baltic opera and its musicians.

Estonian National Opera director general Ott Maaten said the Baltic Opera Gala would take place each year in a different country, while the Vana Tallinn Gala would remain an annual local tradition for Estonian opera audiences. Liviko board chairman Enn Kunila said the gala’s name reflected the company’s support for Baltic cultural cooperation. He said joint evenings in Tallinn, Vilnius and Riga could deepen relations among the neighboring countries.

The next Baltic Opera Gala is scheduled for May 8, 2027, in Lithuania. The Vana Tallinn Gala will return to the Estonian National Opera in late summer 2027. Liviko has supported the national opera since 2012, and the Vana Tallinn Gala tradition began a year later.

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I am delighted that the first Baltic Opera Gala carried the name of Estonia’s signature drink, Vana Tallinn.