Participants

ŠIAULIAI POLIFONIJA STATE CHAMBER CHOIR (Lithuania)

Artistic Director and Chief Conductor Linas Balandis

In 1974, choir conductors Danutė and Sigitas Vaičiulioniai formed the Early Music Ensemble, which performed its first concert on December 31 in the assembly hall of Šiauliai Pedagogical Institute, featuring Renaissance and Baroque music. This was not only the birth of a new music group, but also the tradition of inviting the citizens of Šiauliai to send off the old year with music on New Year's Eve. Later on, the ensemble's activities expanded, the number of concerts increased, and after five years the group has been given the name of the choir Polifonija and the status of the People's collective.

The culture of choir performance, repertoire and abundance of concerts led Polifonija towards new creative achievements. In 1986, the choir outgrew its teenage amateur shirt and became a professional team – Lithuanian State Philharmonic Chamber Mixed Choir of Šiauliai.

In 1998, the choir separated from the Lithuanian National Philharmonics and became a mature Šiauliai State Chamber Choir Polifonija. Since then, the choir's status has not changed, only the repertoire, the repertoire of Renaissance and Baroque works, which have become the Polifonija’s tradition, is being replaced by the works of composers of various epochs and countries, with great attention to the spread of Lithuanian choral music in Lithuania and the world.

The Choir Polifonija regularly performs in various countries of the world conducted by excellent national and foreign conductors, such as Saulius Sondeckis, Juozas Domarkas, Gintaras Rinkevičius, Vytautas Miškinis, Vaclovas Augustinas, Modestas Pitrėnas, Robertas Šervenikas, Ravil Martynov (Russia), Vladimir Begletsov (Russia), Karmina Šilec (Slovenia), Georg Mais (Germany), Mats Nilsson Sindenius (Sweden), Magnus Wassenius (Sweden), Ingo Ernst Reihl (Germany), Anthony Trecek-King (USA), Richard Bjella (USA), Dante Anzolini (Italy), Ferdinando Sulla (Italy), Gary Graden (Sweden), Agnieszka Franków-Żelazny (Poland),  and others. The biography of concert tours includes Italy, Brazil, Argentina, Germany, Austria, Russia, Sweden, Ukraine, Poland, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, France, Latvia, Estonia.

The choir has performed with the Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra, Klaipėda Chamber Orchestra, St. Christopher’s Orchestra, Klaipėda State Musical Theatre Orchestra, Lithuanian National and Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Hamburger Camerata, Lviv (Ukraine) Philharmonic Orchestra, St. Petersburg (Russia) Symphony Orchestra and other string and wind orchestras from different countries.

Every year the choir participates in various music festivals in Lithuania and abroad, thus spreading the charm of Lithuanian choral music.

Simona LIAMO (soprano, Lithuania)

Simona Liamo is a graduate of the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre and completed the vocals class of Prof. Irena Milkevičiūtė. She studied under well-known Lithuanian and foreign singers and musicians, such as Violeta Urmana, Gegham Grigorian, Elena Batoukova Kerl, Raminta Lampsatytė, Olga Eleonora Taškinaitė, Carmen Santoro, Vincente Dumestre, Sergey Malcev, Irina Dolzhenko, Sigutė Stonytė, etc., and worked with conductors Modestas Barkauskas, Julius Geniušas, Vytautas Lukočius, Modestas Pitrėnas, Gintaras Rinkevičius, Martynas Staškus, Robertas Šervenikas, Alvydas Šulčys, Ričardas Šumila and Karolis Variakojis.

In 2015, she sang the role of Teosena in Giovanni Maria Pagliardi’s puppet opera Caligula, accompanied by the early music ensemble Le Poeme Harmonique. Later, she was invited to collaborate with the Lithuanian Opera and Ballet Theatre, where she appeared as Juliet (Vincenzo Bellini’s I Capuleti e I Montecchi), Micaëla (George Bizet’s Carmen), Xenia (Modest Mussorgsky’s Boris Godunov), Annina (Giuseppe Verdi’s La Traviata), Mėlynė (Jonas Tamulionis’ Bruknelė), and a Voice from Heaven (Giuseppe Verdi’s Don Carlos).

Since 2012, she has been frequently invited to perform with Musica Humana, the early music ensemble of the Lithuanian National Philharmonic Society (artistic directors Algirdas Vizgirda and Robertas Beinaris). With this ensemble, she has participated in various international festivals and has built up a broad repertoire spanning from early to contemporary music. She also frequently performs pieces by Lithuanian composers. Some of the works she has performed, for example, those by composers Zita Bružaitė, Vaida Striaupaitė-Beinarienė, Algimantas Kubiliūnas and Giedrius Kuprevičius, were premieres. The soloist is invited to give concerts with the Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra (conductor Gintaras Rinkevičius). Together with this ensemble, she has performed such major pieces as Carl Orff’s cantata Carmina Burana, Johann Sebastian Bach’s Mass in B Minor and Reinhold Glière’s Concerto for Coloratura Soprano and Orchestra, Op. 82, Part I. She is also invited to collaborate with other well-known ensembles such as the Čiurlionis Quartet, the contemporary music ensemble Synaesthesis and the Klaipėda Chamber Orchestra.  The singer is not only active in Lithuania, but has also toured in Germany, Norway, Estonia, Latvia and Ukraine. 

She starred in the documentary I’ll Stand by You (directed by Virginija Vareikytė and Maximilien Dejoie). Together with the Musica Humana ensemble of the Lithuanian National Philharmonic Society, she has recorded the albums Reflections of Time, Visions and Oboe Quintet LT, featuring compositions by Lithuanian composers. With the contemporary music ensemble Synaesthesis, she released the album The Book of the Beginning and the End, performing music by the legendary Lithuanian composer Algirdas Martinaitis.

The singer is a winner of the Vilnius International Youth Music Competition Premio Scarlatti 2022.

Nora PETROČENKO (mezzo-soprano, Lithuania)

Nora Petročenko is frequently invited to perform the classical concert repertoire and take part in various opera productions in France, Portugal, Germany, and Lithuania. A large part of her repertoire consists of Baroque and contemporary music. 

Nora Petročenko studied at the M. K. Čiurlionis National School of Arts and later received her master’s degree from the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre. She developed her vocal mastery under the tutelage of famous opera soloists Algirdas Januta (tenor) and Lyubov Chuchrov (soprano), and attended numerous masterclasses given by renowned figures such as Kevin Smith, Helmuth Rilling, Rolandas Muleika, Hermann Max, Rinaldo Alessandrini, Roberto Gini, Claudine Ansermet, David Gowland, Alessandro Pagliazzi and Roberto Balconi. 

The artist has performed with the Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra, Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra, Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra, Klaipėda Chamber Orchestra, St. Christopher Chamber Orchestra, the chamber ensemble Musica Humana, SWR Symphony Orchestra of Baden-Baden and Freiburg (Germany), Remix Ensemble (Portugal) and Ensemble Multilatérale (France), Spectra Ensemble (Belgium), Royal Chamber Orchestra of Wallonia (Belgium), Capella Temporale and virtuoso violinist Dmitry Sinkovsky, as well as with early music ensembles such as Banchetto Musicale, Morgaine, Affectus Musicus, Brevis Consort, Reversio, Arcadia Consort, the Baltic Baroque Orchestra, and the Baroque Opera Theatre Orchestra. 

The singer has participated in many prestigious festivals in Lithuania and abroad, such as Musica (France), Berliner Festspiele (Germany), Lucerne Festival (Switzerland), RomaEuropa (Italy), Biennale Musica (Italy), the contemporary music festival Gaida, Thomas Mann Festival, Pažaislis Music Festival, Tytuvėnai Festival, Banchetto Musicale, and Curonian Spit Festival. 

Nora Petročenko gained particular success and recognition by collaborating with the French musical theatre T&M/Paris, playing the role of Catherine de’ Medici in W. Mitterer’s opera Massacre (cond. P. Rundel, dir. L. Lagarde), the roles of Fricka and Helmwige in R. Wagner/J. Dove’s tetralogy The Ring of the Nibelung (cond. P. Rundel, dir. A. Gindt), and the role of Margaret Thatcher in S. Rivas’ opera Aliados (cond. L. Warynski, dir. A. Gindt). Aliados was awarded the Silver Lion at the 2018 Venice Biennale. The singer performed the role of the Fourth Naked Virgin under the baton of maestro Sylvain Cambreling during the European tour of Schönberg’s opera Moses und Aron in 2012. The recording of this work was nominated for a 2014 Grammy Award in the Best Opera Recording category. 

Other memorable roles created by the singer in Lithuania include Cornelia in G. F. Handel’s opera Giulio Cesare (a production of the Baltic Chamber Opera Theatre, cond. R. Bliškevičius, dir. Rūta Butkus), Juditha in A. Vivaldi’s oratorio Juditha Triumphans (Baroque Opera Theatre, cond. J. M. Jauniškis, dir. G. Varnas), Orlando in A. Vivaldi’s opera Orlando Furioso (a production of Artis Opera, music director Dmitry Sinkovsky, dir. Jūratė Vansk), a Friend of Thaïs in the stage production of G. F. Handel’s oratorio Alexander’s Feast at the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre (cond. R. Beck from Germany, dir. C. Kael from Hungary), the Messenger Silvia in C. Monteverdi’s L'Orfeo, Dafne in G. Caccini’s opera Euridice (productions of the festival Banchetto musicale, artistic director D. Stabinskas), Aetra in Musica Vitale’s opera revival of The Abduction of Helen (dir. C. Levati, artistic director Marco Vitale), Erenice in J. de Sousa Carvalho’s opera about Lithuania Everardo II, re di Lituania (cond. A. Soriano, V. Lukočius, dir. A. Ptakauskė), Isabella in A. Navickas’ chamber opera Alpha (a production of Operomanija, dir. Gintarė Minelgaitė; the opera was awarded the Golden Stage Cross in 2018), Mother in R. Mačiliūnaitė’s dance opera Forever and a Day (a production of the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre, cond. R. Šumila, dir. choreog. I. Galili), etc. 

Her most notable performances also include early Baroque opera roles: Dido in H. Purcell’s opera Dido and Aeneas, the Messenger Oreste in F. Caccini’s opera The Liberation of Ruggiero from the Island of Alcina, and Venus in C. Monteverdi’s madrigal opera The Ballet of the Female Ingrates, as well as roles in oratorios: J. S. Bach’s Mass in B minor, Magnificat, Christmas Oratorio, Easter Oratorio, G. F. Handel’s La Resurrezione, W. A. Mozart’s Requiem, A. Vivaldi’s Gloria, D. Scarlatti, A. Bononcini and G. P. Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater, A. Scarlatti’s Casimiro-Re di Polonia, F. Mendelssohn’s oratorio Paulus, M. Bruch’s Das Lied von der Glocke, and many more. 

Nora Petročenko also frequently performs pieces by Lithuanian composers such as Onutė Narbutaitė, Mindaugas Urbaitis, Feliksas Bajoras, Marcelijus Martinaitis, Osvaldas Balakauskas, Vidmantas Bartulis, Raminta Šerkšnytė, Rita Mačiliūnaitė, and Albertas Navickas. 

The singer has recorded music for the Lithuanian radio foundations and participated in the recording of the following pieces and CDs: Italian Music at the Vaza Court (2002), Ženklas dedicated to Feliksas Bajoras (2007), Onutė Narbutaitė’ Pas de deux (2007), Wolfgang Mitterer’s Massacre (2010), R. Wagner, J. Dove and G. Vick’s Ring saga: L’anneau du Nibelung (2011), Arnold Schönberg’s Moses und Aron (2014), Giedrius Alkauskas’ Enchanted Time (2014), Julius Juzeliūnas’ Melika (2016), etc.

Dovilė SAVICKAITĖ (organ, Lithuania)

Dovilė Savickaitė was born in the town of Lentvaris on 3 December 1978. She studied choral conducting at the M. K. Čiurlionis National School of Art from 1985 to 1996 and organ at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre under Prof. L. Digris from 1996 to 2002. From 2001, the musician continued her studies under Professor Christoph Krummacher at the Academy of Music in Leipzig (Germany), where she obtained a master’s degree in organ (2003) and church music (2005). In 2007, the artist obtained a master’s degree in organ under Prof. Jacques van Oortmerssen at the Amsterdam University of the Arts (the Netherlands). D. Savickaitė attended masterclasses of famous European organ professors such as M. Radulescu, M. Schmeding, W. Zerer, L. Robilliard, E. M. Belotti, and P. van Dijk. She gives concerts and takes part in international festivals. D. Savickaitė won 3rd prize at the Jan Kucharski International Organ Competition in Łódź (Poland) in 2008. She received a diploma in the International M. K. Čiurlionis Organ Competition in 2011. While still a student, D. Savickaitė began to work as an organist in churches in Lithuania, later in Germany and the Netherlands. She has been the organist and choir director of the Church of the Discovery of the Holy Cross in Vilnius since 2007. D. Savickaitė was also actively involved in pedagogical and organisational activities, conducting courses for organists and church choir directors in Vilnius District, teaching improvisation and working with choir (Vilnius, Church of the Blessed Jurgis Matulaitis, 2009), giving courses for organists entitled “Lent and Eastertide in the Church” (Vilnius, Church of St. Casimir, 2010) consisting of lectures on hymn harmonisation/arrangement, organ playing and theoretical lectures on organ registers and their use. D. Savickaitė conducted master classes for organists of Lithuanian churches as part of the cultural development project “Performer’s Polyfunctionality in Musical, Cultural and Social Processes” in 2013 and was a member of the jury of the Jonas Žukas Organ Competition in 2012–2016. She has been a member of the National Association of Organists since 2017 and a member of its Board since 2020.

Raul TALMAR (conductor, Estonia)

Raul Talmar – the President of the Estonian Choral Association from 2013 to 2019. In present time the conducter of the mixed choir K.O.O.R. and the Tallinn University BFM Institute mixed choir.  During 35 years he has stood in front of many Estonian top choirs such as the Academic Male Choir of the Tallinn University of Technology, the male choir of the Helsinki Trade University, the female choir of the Klementi Sewing Factory, the Pärnu Mattone Chamber Choir, the National Girls’ Choir LEELO, the Tallinn Russian Choir and Tallinn St. Charles Church Concert Choir. Since 1993 has conducted mixed and female choirs at the Youth Song Celebrations and since 2004 at all Estonian Song and Dance Celebrations; the artistic director of the Estonian programme of the 16th Gaudeamus Students’ Song Festival (2011). He was nominated the prize Conductor of the Year by the Estonian Choral Association (2006). He has been a jury member of International Choral Festivals in Russia, Romania, Lithuania, Poland and made workshops in several international festivals.

In summer 2018 was Raul Talmar artistic director of opening program of International Choral Festival Europa Cantat Tallinn 2018. In 2019 he was artistic director of female choirs program in Estonian Song and Dance Celebration.

In 2012, he was awarded the Order of the White Star, V class.

Raul Talmar is the vice-president of the European Choral Association.

Klaipėda Chamber Choir AUKURAS (Lithuania)

Artistic director and chief conductor Tomas AMBROZAITIS

The choir "Aukuras" of Klaipėda was founded in 1993 on the initiative of choir conductors Alfonso Vildžiūnas and Vladimir Konstantinov. From 1996 to 2022, the collective was led by A. Vildžiūnas.

With more than two decades of history, the choir, uniting over two dozen singers, is open to music of various styles, genres, and epochs.

Delving into the techniques of classical choral music performance, creatively interpreting the works of contemporary composers, the ensemble also enthusiastically performs jazz and popular music pieces, organizing various educational programs for children and youth.

Professionals appreciate the rich and vibrant sound of the choir, good intonation, and attention to modern, technically challenging works. The choir is an active participant in the musical life of Klaipėda, collaborating with both recognized artists and young, talented creators.

One of the most significant choir activities in recent years is participation in the opera triptych "Neringa" productions at the "Kuršių nerija" festival.

"Aukuras" has won awards at fourteen international competitions. Its concert biography includes hundreds of concerts not only in Lithuania but also in Thailand, Israel, Canada, the USA, Mexico, and many European countries.

In the fall of 2022, Tomas Ambrozaitis became the Artistic Director of "Aukuras," Dovilė Kirdaitė as the Choirmeister, and Aušra Valentienė as the Concertmaster.

KLAIPĖDA CHAMBER ORCHESTRA (Lithuania)

Artistic director Mindaugas BAČKUS

Klaipėda Chamber Orchestra (KCO) is one of the youngest and most dynamic among Lithuania’s professional chamber orchestras. The KCO actively endeavours to stimulate and enlighten its audiences by presenting well thought out programmes and exhilarating interpretations of stylistically varied repertoire and by introducing new traditions of orchestral concerts in Lithuania’s only harbour city.

The KCO’s professional development and the quality of sound have always been in the hands of talented string players. It was formed in 1992 at the initiative of violist Liuda Kuraitienė. And yet a stronger stimulus towards the improvement of orchestral playing came in 2009 when the well-known Lithuanian cellist, Mindaugas Bačkus, was appointed the KCO’s Artistic Director. Internationally acclaimed as one of the most distinguished and versatile Lithuanian cellists of his generation, Bačkus considers his work with the KCO to be the “way of life, a philosophy of one’s relationship with music, a creative community.” His vision and innovative ideas inspired some conspicuous changes in the way the KCO now builds its repertoire, initiates new creative collaborations and contributes to the cultural life of the city. Another important area of the Orchestra’s activity is concerned with educational programmes, since they offer a fertile ground for engagement of young musicians and audiences into the Orchestra’s performances and a very effective way to foster an appreciation of classical music.

In the recent years, the KCO’s tour itineraries have expanded along with the new additions to the repertoire. It has repeatedly appeared at many Lithuanian music festivals and went on tour to Germany, Poland, Ukraine, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, Italy, Switzerland, Russia and elsewhere in Europe. The Orchestra has drawn accolades for its appearances at a number of international festivals, including Gaida in Lithuania, Murten Classics, Montreux and Klangantrisch in Switzerland, Klaviertage Bad Wildungen in Germany, Türi Spring Festival and Glasperlenspiel in Estonia, as well as at major venues, such as Tonhalle in Zürich, Temppeliaukio Church in Helsinki, Mariinsky Theatre in Saint Petersburg, Teatro Sociale in Bergamo, Palau de la Música Catalana in Barcelona, Palma Auditorium in Mallorca, the Lithuanian National Philharmonic Hall, Kaunas State Philharmonic, and the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania.

ST. CHRISTOPHER WOODWIND QUINTET (Lithuania)

Giedrius GELGOTAS (flute)

Ugnius DIČIŪNAS (oboe)

Andrius ŽIŪRA (clarinet)

Andrius PUPLAUSKIS (bassoon)

Andrius DIRMAUSKAS (French horn)

Founded in 2003, the St. Christopher Woodwind Quintet is the most active and longest-running classical woodwind quintet in independent Lithuania. It consists of talented musicians, winners of international and national competitions. All members of the quintet are graduates of the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre, and have trained at various Western European music schools.

The artistic activities of this highly professional collective have long extended beyond the concert halls of Lithuania. In 2007, the quintet gained international recognition at the prestigious 6th International Henri Tomasi Woodwind Quintet Competition in Marseille, France, where they won first place and a special prize for the best performance of the mandatory piece Toy, written for the competition by composer Régio Campo.

In 2008, the collective enjoyed further success at the prestigious International Chamber Music Competition in Osaka, where they shared fourth place with the New York Woodwind Quintet. This was a very high artistic recognition: as many as 230 contestants from all over the world competed in this ensemble category.

In the fifteen years of its activity, the St. Christopher Woodwind Quintet has built up a rich and stylistically varied repertoire. In addition to classical quintets by W. A. Mozart, F. Danzi, P. Taffanel, and A. Reicha, the musicians also focus on complex chamber opuses by 20th-century composers such as S. Barber, L. Berio, M. Arnold, G. Ligeti, H. Villa-Lobos, and J. M. Damase.

The quintet members enthusiastically collaborate with contemporary Lithuanian composers, enriching the repertoire of the woodwind chamber ensemble. This is how the chamber works for classical woodwind quintet by R. Šileika, R. Giedraitis, R. Vitkauskaitė and other Lithuanian composers came into being.

The St. Christopher Wind Quintet does not limit itself to traditional concerts, constantly looking for new principles of concert repertoire creation and for original music that has never been performed in Lithuania before. The ensemble also organises projects and festivals related to other forms of art and participates in various cultural events. This is how the concert programme Line was born, combining music with the masterful dance of prima ballerina Olga Konošenko of the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre. To achieve coherence in the performance of the chamber ensemble and, at the same time, individual musical expression of each instrument, the musicians sometimes change the ensemble’s instrumentation, supplementing the concert programmes with works of other instrumentation. In order to offer original solutions for concert programmes, the St. Christopher Woodwind Quintet performed with the Marseille Woodwind Quintet (France) as a decet.  The ensemble repeated it with the Brass Quintet – ten different wind instruments performed Rimantas Giedraitis’ piece Summer Music, written for wind decet. The concert also included a performance of a wind decet version of L. Bernstein’s West Side Story.

The quintet’s concert history is extensive, with many performances in both Lithuania and abroad. The musicians of the St. Christopher Quintet have taken part in festivals (Sugrįžimai, Vilnius Festival, Christopher Summer Festival, Druskomanija, Sekmadienio Muzika, Iš Arti, FIMU (France), Leoš Janáček International Music Festival (Czech Republic)) and given concerts in Lithuania, France, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland.

Raminta Vaicekauskaitė (soprano, Lithuania)

Raminta Vaicekauskaitė is a winner of international competitions, a recipient of the Golden Stage Cross, a soloist at the Kaunas State Musical Theatre and a lecturer at the Academy of Music of Vytautas Magnus University. After graduating from Kaunas J. Naujalis Music Gymnasium, Raminta completed her studies in solo singing at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre (under Prof. R. Maciūtė), where she obtained the degree of Licentiate of Arts. During her studies, she trained at the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz (Austria) (under Prof. J. Loibl) and attended masterclasses in Germany and Austria.  The singer is a winner of many national and international singing competitions: 1st place at the 3rd Jāzeps Vītols International Vocal Competition (Latvia); Grand Prix at the international singing competition Art of the 21st Century (Ukraine); 1st place and the Bravissimo Prize for stage presence at the 4th Beatričė Vocal Chamber Music Competition (Vilnius); 1st place and diploma for the best performance of Lied at the International Competition for Vocalists and Pianists-Concertmasters (Vilnius); 1st prize at the Schloss Laubach International Opera Workshop (Germany); diploma at the international singing competition Neue Stimmen 2005 (Germany); 3rd place at the V. Jonuškaitė-Zaunienė Singing Competition (Vilnius); 1st place at the international opera singing competition Giovanni Martinelli–Aureliano Pertile (Italy, 2016). R. Vaicekauskaitė has been a soloist at the Kaunas State Musical Theatre since 2007. In 2006, she received the Golden Stage Cross and the Fortūna Award for her role as Maritza (I. Kálmán’s Countess Maritza). In 2008, Raminta received the Golden Stage Cross and the Orfėjaus Lyra Award for her roles as Hanna Glawari (F. Lehár’s The Merry Widow), Ninon Tisye (I. Kálmán’s The Violet of Montmartre) and Micaëla (J. Bizet’s Carmen). In 2011, she won the Fortūna Award for her role as Lucia in G. Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor. The singer actively gives concerts, creates solo concert programmes, performs with the most famous Lithuanian musicians, conductors, choirs, and orchestras, and participates in the most famous music festivals in Lithuania and abroad. She has been singing the role of Violetta in G. Verdi’s La Traviata since 2010 and the role of Elisabeth of Valois in G. Verdi’s opera Don Carlos since 2016 at the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre.  In 2018, she made her début at the Vanemuine Theatre (Estonia) as Lucia in G. Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor. The singer released her début album An Evening with Raminta Vaicekauskaitė in 2010.

Mindaugas ZIMKUS (tenor, Lithuania)

Mindaugas Zimkus is a winner of international competitions, a recipient of Grand Prix Prizes at the Stasys Baras Male Singer Competition (2001) and the Beatričė Vocal Chamber Music Competition (2011). He won 2nd place in the LRT musical project Arc de Triomphe and was awarded the title of Golden Voice, received a diploma in the Fortūna Awards, was nominated for the Golden Stage Cross three times, and was awarded as the best soloist of the Kaunas State Musical Theatre in 2009. After studying solo singing under Prof. Virgilijus Noreika at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre, Mindaugas has created more than twenty leading roles in various operas. His repertoire includes not only operas, operettas, and musicals but also chamber vocal music and large-scale concert compositions. Currently, Mindaugas is a soloist at the Kaunas State Musical Theatre, a lecturer at the Academy of Music of Vytautas Magnus University, and a teacher at the Kaunas Juozas Gruodis Conservatoire. He is invited to perform at various Lithuanian concert halls and festivals, such as the Pažaislis Music Festival, Thomas Mann Festival, Užutrakis Evenings, Druskininkai Summer with M. K. Čiurlionis, Gaida, Rokiškis Festival, International Organ Music Festival and International Tauragė Music Festival. The singer is also currently creating roles at the Klaipėda State Musical Theatre and Domino Theatre.

Paulė GUDINAITĖ (piano, Lithuania)

Doctor of Arts and pianist Paulė Gudinaitė is a winner of international competitions, recipient of the Best Concertmaster Diploma at the Beatričė Vocal Chamber Music Competition (2011) and the first-place winner at the National Concertmaster Competition in Vilnius. At the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre, she obtained her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in performing arts under Professors P. Geniušas (piano class) and I. Armonienė (concertmaster class) in 2011 and 2013, respectively, and defended her doctoral degree in arts in music (Prof. I. Armonienė, Prof. R. Stanevičiūtė) in 2017. She is currently a piano teacher at the Kaunas Juozas Gruodis Conservatory. Paulė actively performs in various concert halls in Lithuania and abroad, and has participated in festivals such as Druskininkai Summer with M. K. Čiurlionis, the Thomas Mann Festival, the Pažaislis Festival, Užutrakis Evenings, and the International Organ Music Festival in Rokiškis. She regularly shares the stage with tenor Mindaugas Zimkus and mezzo-soprano Eglė Šidlauskaitė and has performed with singers such as Raminta Vaicekauskaitė, Ona Kolobovaitė, Renata Dubinskaitė, Giedrius Prunskus, Igor Bakan, Tadas Girininkas, Vitaly Yushmanov, Liza Antipova, Olena Tokar, and M. Gomar. 

Sophie-Véronique CAUCHEFER-CHOPLIN (organ, France)

Sophie-Véronique Cauchefer-Choplin was born in Nogent-le-Rotrou, France. She grew up in a musician family where she received piano instruction as a small child. After completing piano, organ (Gérard Letellier) and harmony courses at the Ecole Nationale de Musique of Le Mans, she entered the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique of Paris where she studied the organ with Rolande Falcinelli. She was awarded the first prizes in organ, improvisation, harmony, fugue and counterpoint (in the classes of Jean Lemaire, Michel Merlet and Jean-Claude Henry). Her academic success was rewarded in 1980 with a prize from the French Ministry of Culture. In 1990, she became the first woman to win the second prize in improvisation at the Chartres International Organ Improvisation Competition.

Emeritus organist of the Great Organ of Saint Jean-Baptiste de la Salle in Paris (1983 - 2013), she has been the organist of the Great Organ of Saint Sulpice in Paris since 1985 and was appointed titular organist in February 2023. She shares this position with Karol Mossakowski. She is the first woman to hold this title at one of the three largest organ tribunes in Paris. 

Sophie-Véronique has an extensive international career, having given recitals worldwide in more than 35 countries. Considered by her peers as one of the best improvisers of her generation, she also performs in “organ and narrator” concerts, notably with Pierre Arditi, Pauline Choplin, Pierre-Marie Escourrou, Didier Flamand, Brigitte Fossey, François-Eric Gendron, Michael Lonsdale, Marcel Maréchal, and Guillaume Marquet. In 2019, she also performed with foreign actors in Germany and Finland. 

Her sensitivity to improvisation has led her to give Master Classes both in France and abroad, such as at the AGO National Convention in 2006 and 2012, and to lead academies (London, Biarritz, Kevlar, Stockholm, Schwäbisch Gmünd, USA, Trieste, etc.). She is also regularly invited to serve on juries for national and international competitions (AGO Chicago 2006, Chartres International Competition 2008, Karl Nielsen Competition in Odense 2011, AGO Nashville 2012, Longwood Gardens 2013, Miami 2014, Québec 2014, Dublin 2014, Chartres 2016, Odense 2017, Saint Albans 2017, Schwäbisch Gmünd 2019 and 2022, Vilnius 2023, etc.).

She was appointed Professor of Organ in Performance and Improvisation at the Royal College of Music in London in 2008. She was also a guest professor at Yale University – New Haven, USA.

On September 2017, as part of a series of concerts in Saint-Sulpice, she improvised for the first time on a silent movie (« La passion de Jeanne » of C. Th. Dryer). This live performance has been repeated in concerts in France and abroad. She has been invited to perform for « La fête du Cinéma » (Parsi 2019 and 2020) and for various festivals such as Iserlohn and Pori in 2023, Hambourg, Copenhagen and Oostkamp in 2024.

On May 2023, she was invited to the Jazz Festival of Saint Germain des Prés and she gave a unique and live performance with Rhoda Scott in Saint-Sulpice creating bridges between classical music and jazz music, between gospels ans improvisations. On May 2024, she was invited to repeat this musical challenge with movie music.

She was nominated to the grade of Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur by presidential decree of 14th July 2024.

Pauline CHOPLIN (actress, France) 

Pauline Choplin grew up in a musician family, which led her to enter the Conservatoire at a very young age: she got a D.E.M in piano and chamber music in 2010. At the same time, she attended musicology courses at La Sorbonne, where she was graduated.

Also attracted by the performing arts, she studied at the Cours Florent between 2009 and 2012, working notably with David Garel, Marc Voisin, Blandine Lenoir, Jean-Pierre Garnier, Suzanne Marrot, and others.

Since 2011, she has regularly performed in « organ and narrator » concerts, either solo or with Michael Lonsdale, Brigitte Fossey, Guillaume Marquet, Pierre-Marie Escourrou, Didier Flamand, etc. In 2013, she appeared on television show "Suspect No. 1."

At the theater, she played the lead role in 2012 in the play "Le Jardin aux Epines" by Alexandra Desbiolles at the Théâtre Le Proscenium. She also played the role of The Fiancée during 2014 and 2015 in "Noces de Sang" by Federico Garcia Lorca at the Théâtre de Ménilmontant, directed by Rubia Matignon. In 2015, she played the role of a bride in the opera "Le Cid" by Jules Massenet at the Palais Garnier, directed by Charles Roubaud. At the end of 2015, she took on the role of Joséphine in François Borand's play "Sur les Genoux de Papa" at the Théâtre de Ménilmontant, directed by Rubia Matignon, a role she played again in March 2017.

In 2016, she played the role of Anna in "La Dame au Petit Chien" and Elena in "L'Ours," two plays by Chekhov, at L'Atelier à Spectacle de Vernouillet, directed by Pierre-Marie Escourrou. In September 2016, she played the role of Gaëtane in Axel Sénéquier's play "Comme un Lundi": the play was performed until March 2017 at the Théâtre Le Passage Vers Les Étoiles, directed by David Garel. This play was also revived for a month at the Avignon Off festival in July 2017 and July 2018. The play continued its tour of France in 2018, visiting Conflans Saint Honorine, Vichy, Marseille, etc.

While giving various readings (Carvin, Clamecy, Lyon, Clermont-Ferrand, Metz, etc.), she was selected to be part of the cast of "Peau d'âne," a musical that ran from October 2018 to February 2019. She also served as the understudy for the narrator and the Rose, roles played by Claire Chazal. In 2020, she participated in the creation of a show based on several poems by Alicia Gallienne: she performed with Mathias Maréchal, Antony Cochin, and Sophie-Véronique Cauchefer; she also sang the last poem. This show has already been performed in Luxembourg (September 2021), Royans (October 2021), and in the Cathedral of Monaco (July 2022). It has been scheduled for several festivals in 2023 and 2024. She also plays the lead role in the short film "l’Adieu perdu," based on the poem by Alicia Gallienne, directed by Dorian Escourrou (Here)

The same troupe created the show "les 4 saisons de Molière," which was performed for the first time in Brunoy in September 2022. While continuing musical readings in France and abroad, she is currently the lead female role in "Swing High," a show written by Christopher McDonald and directed by Pierre-Marie Escourrou. Starting in 2024, she will also perform in a trio with organ and cello, a show where she combines texts and songs.

Omar PUENTE (violin, Cuba-UK)

Omar Puente has performed in both classical and jazz genres to positive audiences worldwide. On leaving Cuba, he was first violin with the Cuban National Symphony Orchestra, and toured with Buena Vista’s Ruben Gonzales. Since arriving in England in 1997, he has maintained an international profile when possible, playing all over Europe, Middle and Far East, the USA and Africa. In England he has supported Tito Puente, Ibraham Ferrer and Omara Portundo, and played with John Williams, Kirsty MacColl, Jools Holland and Eddie Palmieri as well as being invited to jam with many visiting Latin artists such as Ruben Gonzales and the Afro Cuban Allstars. He has maintained close links with both traditional Cuban Music and Classical genres as well as Jazz. This has included a number of high profile projects such as appearing with Winston Marsalis’ Jazz at Lincoln Centre Orchestra at the Barbican Centre, with the Simon Bolivar Philharmonic Orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall, with Nigel Kennedy at 606 Jazz Club, with Eddie Palmieri at Queen Elizabeth Hall, and with several members of the Buena Vista Social Club.

O. Puente was part of Denys Baptiste’s international tour ‘Let Freedom Ring’, based on a brilliant composition commissioned to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Dr Martin Luther Kings inspirational ‘I Have A Dream’ speech.

He has also played with Courtney Pine, and in 2006 released the CD ‘Bridges’ with Robert Mitchell and completed an Arts Council supported tour focussed on performing in rural areas across the UK. Robert and Omar were also involved In developing a fusion project ‘Nuance’ with members of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. He worked with Dennis Rollins on a commissioned work for Ensemble 360 culminating in a well-received performance at Doncaster Minster in February 2006.

The opportunity to play and work and record with the artists mentioned above as well as others such as Rod Youngs, Jason Yarde, Cameron Pierre and Byron Wallen, the Jazz at Lincoln Centre Orchestra, has allowed him to develop his own sound, drawing together elements of jazz, classical and Cuban music, and this fusion of multi – national roots forms the basis of an exciting new approach to Jazz in his forthcoming album ‘Best Foot Forward’.

Omar Puente has also appeared on the BBC and several ITV channels, various radio shows as well as venues the length and breadth of Britain. From Aberdeen to the Isle of Wight, Newcastle to the Eden Project Belfast to Cork including; Ronnie Scott’s, The Jazz Café, QEH, the Royal Albert Hall and the Royal Festival Hall, participating in major projects such as Jazz Britannia. The tour for his 2009 album ‘From There to Here’ included well known Jazz Festivals beginning with a launch as part of the London Jazz Festival in November 2006, and including others such as Brecon Jazz Festival, Warsaw Jazz Festival, and well known venues such as Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club. Tracks from the forthcoming ‘Best Foot Forward’ have been previewed at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, and on tour in Brazil.

His Cuban qualifications incorporate a teaching qualification, he has taught extensively in the UK including the UK’s most prestigious music colleges, and also in Cuba. He has taught Jazz Violin and a range of Latin Jazz Ensembles at Leeds College of Music and at various other places including London City University, Professor of LPM Latin Jazz Violin, Guildhall Conservatory Exterior Examiner. 

O. Puente continues to teach in Havana at the prestigious National Conservatoire, and Trinity College in London and published a University level textbook on the violin in Cuban Music.

Omar Puente maintains a close relationship with the Cuban Ministry of Culture, the Cuba Solidarity Campaign, and supports the ‘attitude is everything’ campaign to encourage arts venues to become accessible to disabled artists and patrons.

Lily DIOR (vocals, Australia-UK)

Recognised as one of Australia’s finest singers, Lily Dior has shared the stage with a remarkable list of outstanding musicians from Australia and around the world including, Oscar Castro Neves, Airto Moriera, Don Grusin, Dave Matthews, Abe Laboriel, Alex Acuna, Mike Nock, Paul Grabowsky, Victor Lewis and Bill Evans (sax) amongst many others. 

Born to professional musicians who met and married in London, Lily has been steeped in music her whole life, traveling the world from the tender age of two weeks with her parents as they sang and played their way through Europe, Asia and eventually Australia. 

Returning to her roots, Lily has established herself as an in demand performer appearing at iconic London venues and festivals including Ronnie Scott’s, The 606 Club and London Jazz Festival 

“Since Australian vocalist Lily Dior arrived on the London scene she's been going from strength to strength and amassing a reputation as an exciting live performer and versatile singer who works across genres including jazz, groove and soul" 606 Club 

“She can belt out a song, dramatise a lyric, swing hard and earthy, flirt, sing a tender song - Lily can ‘tell a story’.” ABC 

Aurelijus ŠČIUKA (piano, Lithuania-UK)

Born in Lithuania, Aurelijus Ščiuka began to play music at the age of 5 years old. His natural gifts were developed when he went to study at Music School and College, in 1985 graduating from The Lithuanian Academy of Music. Since this time, he has worked as a professional composer and musician within the Music Industry and Theatre in Lithuanian, Europe and the Arab States.

A collection of original Albums features nationally acclaimed artists such as Neda -`Love beginning of sky`, Saule -`Suddenly so simple` and `NAMO`. 

Based in London since 2006 Aurelijus continually plays with and is influenced by musicians emanating from all over the world.  

Festivals and performances have been international and included Sweden, Germany, France, UAE, Oman, China, Lithuania, Ireland, UK.

Currently available for live performances in the UK and abroad as a solo pianist, with The Aurelijus Sciuka Jazz Trio & Quartet. Studio recording, sessional work and Music Tutor.

Marco MARZOLA (double bass, Italy-UK)

Marco Marzola Jazz Musician and Bandleader (Contrabass & Electric Bass) based in London.

Ongoing collaboration with musicians of the International Jazz scene across Europe at Jazz Festivals and Jazz Clubs.
His artistic training began at the conservatory of Ferrara (Italy). Captured by Jazz at an early age, he moved to New York in 1982 where he studied with Barry Harris and Buster Williams. He became interested in Ethnic Music, Blues and Pop. Alongside his work as sideman, he started several projects as a band leader featuring International acclaimed guests such as Ed Cherry, Steve Turre, Sherman Irby, Akua Dixon, Darrell Green, Dion Parson. As a testimony to these collaborations, there are now a number of Albums available on line. He shared the stage and recorded with the most representative Musicians of the INTERNATIONAL JAZZ SCENE around Europe and United States such as: Betty Carter, Jimmy Lovelace, Tommy Tarantine, Jimmy Owens, Paul Jeffrey, Craig Handy, Harold Land, George Cables, Steve Turre, Tommy Campbell, John Hics, Tony Scott, Bruce Forman, Jimmy Cobb, Dion Parson, John Clark, Sherman Irby, Chuck McPherson, James Zollar, Darrell Green, Jesse Davis, Akua Dixon, James Hurt, Ed Cherry, Stacy Dillard, Bruce Williams, Jerome Jennings, Art Hirahara, Camille Thurman, Giulio Capiozzo, Flavio Boltro, Stefano Bollani, Fabrizio Bosso and many other.

He participated on many occasions in broadcasting radio television.

Tours: Europe, USA, Japan.

SCHOLA GREGORIANA VILNENSIS Gregorian Choir (Lithuania)

Artistic director and conductor Živilė STONYTĖ-TAMAŠEVIČIENĖ

The Schola Gregoriana Vilnensis Gregorian Choir was formed in 1989 when Vilnius Cathedral was returned to the faithful. It is the oldest and the largest Lithuanian choir that preserves this unique liturgical singing of the Roman Catholic Church. The choir has taken part in many international music festivals and has performed in France, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany, Poland, and other countries. It has recorded three CDs and a DVD of its 25th anniversary concert. The choir has been conducted by the most renowned Gregorian chant specialists, such as Nino Albarosa (Italy), Juan Carlos Asensio (Spain), Alexander M. Schweitzer (Germany) and Jaan-Eik Tulve (Estonia). Schola Gregoriana Vilnensis sings at the Latin Evening Mass in Vilnius Cathedral every Sunday and on feast days and is regularly invited to participate in various liturgical celebrations throughout Lithuania. The choir organises annual Gregorian Chant Weeks where the best-known choral teachers introduce participants to this singing in an authentic liturgical setting. 

The choir director, Živilė Stonytė-Tamaševičienė, studied musicology and organ at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre, as well as Gregorian chant at the St. Peter’s Abbey, Solesmes, France, and attended various courses. Živilė currently works at the Publishing Centre of the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre and teaches singing at the Vilnius St. Joseph Seminary. 

Kaunas Mixed Choir SALUTO (Lithuania)

Artistic director and conductor Ramutė ŠTREIMIKYTĖ

The Kaunas mixed choir Saluto was founded in autumn 2007. Its members come from various ages and professions, brought together by their love for choral music and their hobby of singing. The choir performs pieces by Lithuanian and foreign composers of various periods, styles, and genres, mostly united by the themes of the selected programmes.

In its eighteen years of existence, the choir has sung more than 400 works and created over twenty concert programmes. The most memorable event in the choir’s history is the first performance in Lithuania of K. Jenkins’ Armed Man: A Mass for Peace with soloists, the Kaunas City Symphony Orchestra, accompanied by video installations. It was performed at the Kaunas State Philharmonic Hall and the Kaunas Ninth Fort in 2012 and marked the choir’s fifth anniversary. The choir celebrated its tenth anniversary with a new programme Prasvydo (2017), performing songs about the world. Saluto marked its fifteenth anniversary in 2022 with Misa a Buenos Aires by contemporary Argentinian composer Martin Palmeri, written for choir, soloist, and instrumental accompaniment. The composition was performed at the Šiauliai Polifonija Hall and the Kaunas Philharmonic Hall.

The choir performs extensively, giving about ten concerts a year, collaborating with various collectives, participating in competitions and festivals in Lithuania and abroad. It has given concerts in France (2008, 2022, 2023), Germany (2009), Russia (2010, 2014), the Czech Republic (2011), Spain (2012), Austria (2013), England (2015), Bulgaria (2018), Norway (2019), Latvia (2020), Georgia (2022), and Ireland (2024).

Saluto won prizes in several international choral competitions. It received Category 1 in 2009 (there are four categories of choir, with the first being the best and indicating a high artistic level). In 2013, the choir received the Aukso Paukštė Award in the Newly Shining Star category.

The choir’s founder and director is Ramutė Štreimikytė.

PLUNGĖ CULTURAL CENTRE CHAMBER CHOIR (Lithuania)

Artistic director and conductor Alfonsas VILDŽIŪNAS

The Plungė Cultural Centre Chamber Choir was formed in 1986. The choir’s first director was Gediminas Purlys, a professor at Klaipėda University. Since 1997, the choir’s director has been Alfonsas Vildžiūnas.

The singers are members of various professions (music teachers, cultural workers, medical professionals, etc.) and devote their free time to the art of choral singing. The choir’s repertoire consists of church and secular music of different styles and periods. The collective actively takes part in various events, celebrations, festivals, and competitions. It is a participant in all World Lithuanian Song Festivals and Baltic Song Festivals. 

The chamber choir brings joy to audiences not only in Lithuania, but also in other countries such as Sweden, Norway, France, England, Germany, the United States of America, Thailand, and Israel.

Its repertoire includes W. A. Mozart’s Coronation Mass, C. Saint-Saens’ Christmas Oratorio, Ch. Gounod’s St. Cecilia Mass, A. Vivaldi’s Gloria and J. Haydn’s Missa brevis.

ATŽALYNAS Chamber Choir of the Šiauliai City Cultural Centre (Lithuania)

Artistic director and conductor Mindaugas ŽALALIS

The Atžalynas Chamber Choir of the Šiauliai City Cultural Centre was founded in 1992 by the conductor of Šiauliai University and Associate Professor Marija Žibūdienė. From 2006 to 2016, the choir director was Jurgita Juozūnienė. Since 2016, this role has been taken by Mindaugas Žalalis. 

During its 30 years of existence, Atžalynas has participated in many international competitions, festivals and creative projects and has won many prizes. 

This amateur art group brings together 20 to 25 choral music lovers who improve their vocal skills, interact, travel, participate in concerts and competitions, and lead an active choral life. The choir is known and recognised all over the country; therefore it often organises and creates new programmes and is invited to perform at various events, festivals, and competitions both in Lithuania and abroad. Atžalynas traditionally prepares a new Christmas concert programme every year.

In addition to international competitions and choral festivals, the Atžalynas Chamber Choir has also participated in unconventional projects in recent years. On 4 January 2015, together with the actors of the Šiauliai Drama Theatre, the choir performed Jeanne d’Arc, a one-act mystery musical show based on J. Židanavičius and Ch. Peguy’s dramatic work. On 2 December 2016, Atžalynas took part in the modern art performance Eraser Against Reality at the Šiauliai Art Gallery. On 6 July 2019, the choir performed with multi-instrumentalist Saulius Petreikis and his band World Orchestra. In 2022, Atžalynas, alongside the Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra and other choirs, presented a concert programme entitled Karl Jenkins’ Armed Man: A Mass for Peace.

The choir has released three CDs. On the occasion of its 30th anniversary in 2022, the Atžalynas Choir released and presented its third album Choriniai susitikimai featuring nine compositions of various genres by Šiauliai composers.

VILNIUS Choir (Lithuania)

Artistic director and conductor Artūras DAMBRAUSKAS

VILNIUS is a professional choir characterised by the highest standards of performance, versatility and educational activities. Particularly responsive to current trends in art, the Choir can take pride in mastering best of the choral music from previous eras, too. A combination of creativity and professionalism, the ability to get through to diverse audiences and involvement in offbeat events and projects are among the Choir's hallmarks, which have forged VILNIUS a reputation as one of Lithuania's leading choral groups.

A potent advocate for Lithuanian music, VILNIUS Choir annually presents several new works by Lithuanian composers, the most notable of which reach recording studios. VILNIUS has released 15 CD recordings while 300 recordings of choral works performed by the group are stored in the Lithuanian National Radio and Television sound archives. 

Artistic maturity and professionalism has long been the top priority of the Choir's leaders. Its current principal conductor, a famous Lithuanian choir conductor and educator Artūras Dambrauskas, has set the Choir on a new creative trajectory towards innovative, versatile and modern artistic activity.

Focused on the propagation of choral art, VILNIUS' intense concert activity features unique programmes tailored to a diverse range of audiences. The Choir performs not only in the concert halls of major cities, but also in the most remote towns of the country. Interactive and engaging programmes are specially designed for kids to raise the audience of the future.

VILNIUS State Choir has been the organiser of the yearly International St. Jacob Sacred Music Festival since its inception in 2011. Illuminating every autumn with the sound of sacred music, the Festival has become an indispensible part of the capital city's cultural life.

LITHUANIAN CHAMBER ORCHESTRA (Lithuania)

Artistic director and conductor Sergej KRYLOV

Founded in 1960 by Professor Saulius Sondeckis the Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra (LCO) today enters its sixtieth season. The LCO is one of the most outstanding and highly acclaimed Lithuanian ensembles in the world. For twelve years, since 2008, the renowned violin virtuoso Sergej Krylov has served as its artistic director and conductor.

Over the years tour itineraries of the LCO, an ambassador of Lithuanian music culture, have covered the length and breadth of Europe, reached both Americas, the Republic of South Africa, Japan, China, Australia and Iceland. The LCO has graced the stages of Berlin Philharmonie and Vienna’s Musikverein, London’s Royal Festival Hall, Rome’s Santa Cecilia, Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw, Leipzig’s Gewandhaus, Paris’ Salle Pleyel and Salle Gaveau and many more. The LCO has collaborated with Mstislav Rostropovich, Gidon Kremer, Yuri Bashmet, David Geringas and other prominent musicians. The great musician and humanist Lord Yehudi Menuhin left a deep imprint on the Orchestra’s biography.

The LCO performed with violinists Julian Rachlin, Vadim Repin and Sergej Krylov, viola players Maxim Rysanov and Hartmut Rohde, cellists Mischa Maisky and Denis Shapovalov, pianists Mūza Rubackytė, Andrius Žlabys, Lukas Geniušas, Dmitri Bashkirov and Alessandro Deljavan, flutist Denis Bouriakov, conductors Ronald Zollman and Modestas Pitrėnas, as well as composer, pianist and conductor Ezio Bosso. In recent years the LCO has given concerts in Luxembourg, Spain, Switzerland, Slovenia, Poland, China, Italy, Costa Rica and Lebanon.

In addition to baroque and classical masterpieces, interpretations of contemporary music occupy an important place in the Orchestra’s concert programs. Being an ardent champion of the works of Lithuanian composers, the LCO often performs opuses by Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis, Eduardas Balsys, Julius Juzeliūnas, Osvaldas Balakauskas, Teisutis Makačinas, Jonas Tamulionis, Algirdas Martinaitis, Mindaugas Urbaitis, Arvydas Malcys, Vidmantas Bartulis, Raminta Šerkšnytė, Justė Janulytė and Loreta Narvilaitė.

Renata DUBINSKAITĖ (mezzo-soprano, Lithuania)

Renata Dubinskaitė studied History and Theory of Art at the Vilnius Academy of Arts and defended her doctoral thesis in 2011. She obtained a bachelor's degree in solo singing at the Lithuanian Academy of Music Theatre in 2015 and a master's degree at the Academy of Music of Vytautas Magnus University under Prof. Vladimir Prudnikov in 2023. She is training in Baroque vocal performance in Bologna under Professor Fernando Coreiro Opa.

R. Dubinskaitė is the lead soloist of the international early music ensemble Canto Fiorito (since 2013), the producer of this ensemble and the Kretinga Early Music Festival, as well as the singer and concert programme creator of Duo Barocco (since 2010). In 2023, she founded Lux Maris, a new early music ensemble, where she creates early music vocal programmes for different line-ups.

Brilliant Classics (the Netherlands) released her solo album Barbara Strozzi. La voce sola in 2021. It was enthusiastically received by international critics, and its tracks were broadcast on BBC Radio, France Musique, and USA and Australian radio programmes.

With the Canto Fiorito ensemble, she has given recitals and performed solo concert programmes in Stockholm, Brussels, Namur, Oslo, Trondheim, Salzburg, Vienna, Brighton, Rostock, and other European cities. Since 2019, R. Dubinskaitė has been singing with the Namur Chamber Choir (Belgium) and the early music ensemble Cappella Mediterranea in opera productions and concerts in prestigious European concert halls such as the Royal Chapel of the Palace of Versailles, Bozar in Brussels, the Radio France Auditorium in Paris, the Auditorium in Lyon and the Salzburg Opera Festival space.

The singer has created the role of Holofernes in the stage production of A. Vivaldi's oratorio (2014 and 2023, dir. G. Varnas), the role of Nymph in L. Rossi's Il Palazzo Incantato (2020–2021, Dijon, Nancy and Versailles, with Cappella Mediterranea), the role of Circe in A. Stradella's Circe (2019, with Canto Fiorito, Vilnius), the role of Clorinda in C. Monteverdi's madrigal opera The Combat of Tancredi and Clorinda (2018, Curitiba, Brazil), the role of Cesonia in G. Pagliardi's opera Il Caligula Delirante (2015, with the French ensemble Le Poeme Harmonique) and other Baroque opera roles. She has collaborated regularly with the Lithuanian National Philharmonic Society's ensemble Musica Humana since 2012.