Las sandalias de Ulises
The tradition of opera in Latvia dates...
The tradition of opera in Latvia dates back to the eighteenth century, when the first music productions were staged in the Duchy of Courland. The city's German theatre, which offered drama, opera and ballet, opened in 1782. The official history of the Latvian Opera began in 1912, when the company was established in Riga by Jurjans Pāvuls. In 1918, the company returned to Riga, now known as Latvju Opera, and under the direction of Professor Jāzeps Vitols, the founder and longtime president of the Latvian Academy of Music. On January 23, 1919, the Latvian National Opera made its debut, with a performance of music by Wagner.
The Riga Opera House was one of the first buildings that got a complete makeover after the expulsion of the Soviets. Why? Because Latvians considered opera to be an important part of the country's cultural heritage, and felt that the new opera would spearhead its drive for recreation of national identity. In fact, the Latvian National Opera has attracted worldwide recognition, although it hasn't always been particularly favourable. This is due in part to the company's youthful confidence and willingness to take risks.
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