The Andrej Žagar Foundation for Cultural Development has just announced the upcoming concerts of the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) in Riga under the direction of Andras Nelsons, the orchestra’s artistic director and conductor.
BSO will visit Latvia with concerts for the first time, it will be an important event for both the local and international music community. The concerts in Riga will take place on May 11 and 12, 2025 at the Latvian National Opera.
The concerts of the Boston Symphony Orchestra in Riga will be part of the orchestra’s European tour dedicated to the music of Dmitri Shostakovich, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the composer’s death. These concerts are organized by the Andrejas Žagar Cultural Development Foundation, providing a unique opportunity for the Latvian public to enjoy the sound of the excellent orchestra led by conductor Andras Nelsons.
The concerts of the American orchestra will be special with a diverse and emotionally saturated and also different program. Shostakovich’s Sixth and Eighth symphonies will be performed at the May 11 concert, while on May 12, along with Shostakovich’s Fifteenth Symphony, the First Violin Concerto will be performed, in which the outstanding Latvian violinist Baiba Skride will perform as a soloist.
The Boston Symphony Orchestra’s European tour, which will begin in Vienna, continue in Prague, Riga and conclude in Leipzig with an eight-day residency at the Leipzig Shostakovich Festival,
will offer listeners to enjoy Shostakovich’s diverse and emotionally saturated music, which is especially loved by both the musicians of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the conductor Andris Nelsons.
It may seem that there is still plenty of time until next May, but ticket sales in Riga will start already in December of this year. According to Sandis Voldiņš, who will be the chairman of the board of the National Opera and Ballet from November 4, the last time Andris Nelsons visited Riga with his other orchestra, of which he is the artistic director, the Leipzig “Gewandhaus” orchestra, tickets were snapped up within seven minutes. . Since they will not be cheap this time either, and in order for the concert to be enjoyed by the widest possible audience, the idea of placing large screens in front of the Opera is being considered, as is done elsewhere in Europe and the world for the sake of democracy in concerts of a similar scale.
Andris Nelsons from Boston had come to Riga for a couple of days, and after the official press conference there was an opportunity to ask the world famous Latvian conductor some questions.
Andri, how does it feel to be in Riga again and before the concerts with the Boston Symphony Orchestra?
A. Nelson: I previously had the opportunity to perform in Latvia together with the Bayreuth Festival Orchestra and in 2018 with the Leipzig “Gewandhaus” Orchestra, and now I am especially proud to present to Latvian listeners the excellent performance of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
Title: Boston Symphony Orchestra to Make Historic Debut in Latvia with Shostakovich Tribute Concerts
As a renowned blog news writer, I am thrilled to share my analysis of the impending arrival of the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) in Riga, Latvia. This highly anticipated event, organized by the Andrej Žagar Foundation for Cultural Development, promises to be a monumental occasion for music enthusiasts worldwide. The BSO, conducting under the artistic direction of Andras Nelsons, is set to charm audiences at the Latvian National Opera on May 11 and 12, 2025.
This marks the orchestra’s inaugural visit to Latvia, and music aficionados are abuzz with excitement. As noted on the BSO’s official website, the orchestra is renowned for its eclectic repertoire, spanning “Everything from jazz to pop, rock to big band, film music to the great American songbook, and Broadway to classical” [1]. This versatility is undoubtedly a testament to the orchestra’s enduring appeal.
According to Wikipedia, the Boston Symphony Orchestra is the second-oldest among the five major American symphony orchestras [2]. This esteemed institution has been a benchmark of musical excellence, with a rich history of captivating audiences and inspiring new generations of musicians. A visit to their YouTube channel, which features an engaging playlist showcasing the instruments of the orchestra, offers a glimpse into the ensemble’s dedication to music education and appreciation [3].
The forthcoming concerts in Riga are part of the BSO’s European tour, commemorating the 50th anniversary of Dmitri Shostakovich’s passing. The performances promise to be a poignant tribute to the legendary Russian composer, with a diverse program featuring some of his most iconic works. On May 11, the orchestra will present Shostakovich’s Sixth and Eighth symphonies, while the May 12 concert will showcase the Fifteenth Symphony, accompanied by the First Violin Concerto, performed by an exceptional Latvian artist.
the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s impending visit to Latvia is an eagerly anticipated event that promises to leave a lasting impact on the local and international music community. Under the guidance of artistic director Andras Nelsons, the orchestra is poised to captivate audiences with its rendition of Shostakovich’s timeless masterpieces. This historic event is a testament to the transcendent power of music, bridging cultural and geographical divides, and we eagerly await the magic that will unfold at the Latvian National Opera in May 2025.
