Media release

Presidency opens with a concert at the Latvian National Opera

   
Facebook Twitter Draugiem Google+
On 8 January, 2015 a splendid and expressive musical performance at the Latvian National Opera House marked the official opening of the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the European Union. It was the symbolic start to the challenging six months ahead of us when Latvia will steer the EU ship for the first time. The concert featured some of the most distinguished Latvian artists in the world of music who performed different musical pieces to an audience from all around Europe.
08 January 2015

On Thursday 8 January, a splendid and expressive musical performance at the Latvian National Opera House marked the official opening of the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the European Union. It was the symbolic start to the challenging six months ahead of us when Latvia will steer the EU ship for the first time. The concert featured some of the most distinguished Latvian artists in the world of music who performed different musical pieces to an audience from all around Europe.

The President of the Republic of Latvia, Andris Bērziņš, the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Latvia, Laimdota Straujuma, addressed the guests at the opening event.

The Latvian National Symphony Orchestra (LNSO), the State Choir Latvija, cellist Ēriks Kiršfelds and pianist Reinis Zariņš performed on stage. The concert started with the rejoicing of shepherds – an ancient Latvian scene conjured up for the audience by Ēriks Ešenvalds – and his new piece After the Storm which was composed especially for this event. It was followed by the Cello Concerto by Pēteris Vasks which creates an atmosphere that evokes the threats to the newly declared independence of the Baltic States back in 1991. The last piece performed at the concert was Ludwig van Beethoven's Choral Fantasia which includes a sequence of variations on the magnificent melody of the Ode to Joy, the anthem of the European Union. The concert was conducted by the Artistic Director and Chief Conductor of the LNSO, Andris Poga.

Address by President of Latvia Andris Bērziņš PDF, 0.1MB Address by Prime Minister Laimdota Straujuma PDF, 0.3MB Address by President of the European Council Donald Tusk PDF, 50KB
Contact
Linda Jākobsone
Head of Presidency Communications and Public Relations Department