Music News

On Theatre Day also musical awards were given out

On Theatre Day, March 27th, credits were given for the theatre creation of year 2007 in theatre NO99. Among other things a number of musical awards were given out.

In the field of musical production the annual theatre award went to director Dmitri Bertman for finding a compelling figural language in the opera Wallenberg by Erkki-Sven Tüür (National Opera Estonia) and in the opera The Tales of Hoffmann by Jacques Offenbach (Vanemuine), also to tenor Mart Madiste for a brilliant distinction as a leading tenor in roles Hoffmann (The Tales of Hoffmann by Jacques Offenbach in Vanemuine) and Duke (Rigoletto by Giuseppe Verdi in National Opera Estonia). The jury of musical productions was composed of its chairwoman Raili Sule, also Vahur Keller, Tiina Mattisen, Kristel Pappel and Alo Põldmäe.

In the field of ballet production the annual theatre award was given to choreographer Marina Kesler for directing a ballet Warewolf in National Opera Estonia with a generally human message and interesting choreographic solution. The jury was led by Tiiu Randviir-Tölp, additionally Ago Herkül, Oleg Titov and Enn Suve belonged to the jury. The contemporary ballet Warewolf leans altogether to Estonian music: in this performance excerpts from Symphony No. 1, Piano Concerto and music for the film Doctor Stockman by Lepo Sumera have been used; also Hither-Thither from the Spring Imaginations Op. 66 by Raimo Kangro, Great Estival Light by Lydia Auster and different versions of Fratres by Arvo Pärt can be heard.

Also the award for dance performance went to Estonian National Opera: the direction of Hamlet by Olga Titova was decided to be worthy of the award. The jury dignified a contributory and nourishing symbiosis of dance, music and design of the performance; also the accomplished and vigorous cognition of ensemble, content burdening and delicate choreographic solution was mentioned. Original music for Titova’s Hamlet was composed by Taavi Kerikmäe who also performed it live every time. In the field of dance performances the jury consisted of chairwoman Mall Noormets, also Kristiina Garancis, Jüri Nael, Tõnu Lensment and Priit Raud.

The ballet dancer Vitali Nikolayev earned the special award in the field of musical productions for his exquisitely nuanced, masterfully and idiosyncratically performed bit parts that include Madge in the ballet Sulfide, nobleman Camacho in the ballet Don Quijote, and Tybalt in the ballet Romeo and Juliet in National Opera Estonia.

On Theatre Day, also Georg Ots award was given out. The jury composed of Teo Maiste, Jassi Zahharov, Anu Kaal, Mati Kõrts, Pille Lill, Taisto Noor and Mati Palm handed the award over to Heli Veskus, a soprano in case of which the following roles were dignified: Tanya (Eugene Onegin), Mimi (The Bohemian), Wise woman (Wise Woman), Hanna Glawari (Die Lustige Witwe), Agathe (Der Freischütz), Countess Gabriele Zedlau (Wiener Blut), Micaėla (Carmen), Barbara (Barbara von Tisenhusen), Desdemona (Otello), Floria Tosca (Tosca) ja Nedda (Pagliacci). Additionally the jury took into account Heli Veskus’ solo concerts and her high-level performances in larg-scale works.

Maria Mölder 

Back