Classical music festival Riga Jurmala launches this summer with Yuja Wang and Miloš on the line-up
12 July 2019, 16:39 | Updated: 12 July 2019, 16:41
This new festival in Latvia will feature four weekends of concerts from the likes of London Symphony Orchestra and the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra.
A new music festival is launching in Latvia this summer – and there’s a spectacular line-up including some of the world’s finest orchestras and young performers.
The festival, Riga Jurmala Music Festival, takes place in the historic cities of Riga – which is the largest metropolis in the Baltic region – and Jūrmala, home to gorgeous white-sand beaches and wood villas.
The programme features four weekends of performances from leading international orchestras and conductors, with the first weekend held in Riga and the subsequent three weekends in Jūrmala.
Setting the tone for the lineup is the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, led by Finnish conductor, Susanna Mälkki, in the festival’s opening gala at Latvian National Opera – a striking gilded theatre dating from the 1860s.
Joining them on the bill are Gianandrea Noseda conducting the London Symphony Orchestra, and Zubin Mehta with the Israel Philharmonic.
Audiences will also hear solo performances from tenor Joseph Calleja and baritone Benjamin Appl, pianists Murray Perahia and Jan Lisiecki, cellist Mischa Maisky and guitarist Miloš among so many other great artists.
Other musical highlights include suites from Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet and Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique performed by brilliant pianist Yuja Wang, and Edgar Moreau playing three of Bach’s Solo Cello Suites.
The festival is directed by Martin Engstroem who is also the creative force behind Verbier Festival.
Riga Jūrmala takes place 19-21 July, August 16-18, August 23-25 and August 30-September 1. Visit: riga-jurmala.com.
