Malcolm Martineau. Photo: T. Oliemans
It is one of the most popular festivals in the city, known for its outstanding quality and variety of genres and musical styles. Another unique aspect of the festival is its concerts, held in captivating open-air venues and architectural heritage sites. With decades of experience, the Pažaislis Music Festival has become a fixture in the calendars of world-renowned performers, drawing not only local but also international audiences. Recognized with the European Festivals Association’s “Europe for Festivals, Festivals for Europe” quality label, the festival has earned a reputation as Lithuania’s own Salzburg.
Attending festival concerts usually requires advance planning, as tickets tend to sell out quickly. Here’s a look at the June and July concerts you can still attend. Full information and tickets: www.pazaislis.lt
June 19, 18:00
LCO, SERGEJ KRYLOV and ANDRIUS ŽLABYS
Kaunas State Philharmonic
Renowned violin virtuoso Sergej Krylov – artistic director of the Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra (LCO) and a beloved guest of the festival – will perform alongside the orchestra and pianist Andrius Žlabys. The program features works by Johann Sebastian Bach and Giuseppe Tartini, as well as original music by Žlabys, which will be performed for the first time in Kaunas.
Augusto Didžgalvio nuotr.
Andrius Žlabys, a Grammy-nominated Lithuanian pianist and composer based in the U.S., captivates audiences with his technical brilliance and depth of interpretation. He has performed with many of the world’s leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra, Rotterdam Philharmonic, and Buenos Aires Philharmonic.
Andrius Žlabys
July 12, 19:00
Between Three Continents: A Journey in Rhythm
Birštonas Kurhaus
The Kaunas String Quartet and accordionist Laimonas Salijus invite you on a musical journey across three continents in just one hour. The program features a three-part quintet for accordion and string quartet by American composer Sam Reider – a fresh and delightful experience for the audience. Filled with lightness, jazzy harmonies, and intricate rhythms, the piece will be performed in Lithuania for the first time.
Latin American rhythms and harmonies will shine through in Heitor Villa-Lobos’s String Quartet No. 5, also known as Quarteto Popular No. 1. The program will also include Arvydas Malcys’s Scherzo from his Concerto for Accordion and String Quartet, and Eduardas Balsys’s renowned Habanera, proving that rhythm and energy are no strangers to Lithuanian music either.
July 19, 17:00
Who Wrote the Book of Love?
Old St. John the Baptist Church, Zapyškis
The Čiurlionis String Quartet – one of Lithuania’s most acclaimed chamber ensembles – has a wide-ranging repertoire spanning Romanticism, 20th–21st century music, and original projects combining classical and jazz.
Baritone Tomas Kildišius, originally from Molėtai and now based in Germany, has taken a less conventional path by focusing on vocal chamber music – a genre he hopes will resonate more deeply with Lithuanian audiences. His achievements include winning the Grand Prix at the prestigious Nadia and Lili Boulanger Competition in Paris, and praise for his unique and compelling programs.
July 20, 19:00
Huelgas Ensemble: The Dream of Poliphilus
Bank of Lithuania, Kaunas
Huelgas Ensemble. Photo: K. Kukiełka
Returning to Kaunas for the second time, the Huelgas Ensemble is one of the world’s leading early music groups, specializing in polyphonic music from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. For over 50 years, the ensemble has been known for its creative programming and lively, innovative approach to historical music.
Directed by Paul Van Nevel, this year’s program – The Dream of Poliphilus – was inspired by the book of the same name, attributed to Francesco Colonna (1433/1434–1527). The book recounts the romantic journey of its protagonist, Poliphilus, and presents the aesthetics of his world in meticulous detail: architecture, nature (even down to the scents), flowers, jewelry, literature, music, dance, ancient culture, physical elegance, and rituals. The Huelgas Ensemble will perform this polyphonic a cappella repertoire in the uniquely resonant setting of the Bank of Lithuania in Kaunas.
July 27, 18:00
JUSTINA GRINGYTĖ and MALCOLM MARTINEAU: Songs by Georges Bizet
Kaunas State Philharmonic
Mezzo-soprano Justina Gringytė, recipient of numerous prestigious awards, invites you to a recital featuring songs by Georges Bizet – the French Romantic genius behind the timeless opera Carmen. Gringytė was named Young Singer of the Year at the International Opera Awards and completed the Jette Parker Young Artists Programme at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. There, she performed alongside Renée Fleming, Bryn Terfel, and Plácido Domingo at the opening ceremony of the London Olympic Games.
Her stage partner is acclaimed British pianist Malcolm Martineau, regarded as one of the finest accompanists of his generation. He is an Honorary Doctor of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, former artistic director of the Leeds Festival of Song, and current artistic director of the Oxenfoord International Festival. Martineau has collaborated with world-class singers including Elina Garanča, Sonya Yoncheva, Florian Boesch, and Dame Sarah Connolly, who performed at the Pažaislis Festival last year.
Information provided by the Pažaislis Music Festival.
