The September 11^th 2011 celebrated the 100th anniversary of Tiit Kuusik (11.09.1911-15.08.1990), one of Estonia's most outstanding baritone of all times.

Studied singing at the Tallinn Conservatory in Professor Aleksander Arder’s singing class and graduated from in 1938, his singer’s career began in the same year with victory at the International Singing Competition in Vienna. The victory was resulted by a contract with the Vienna Volksoper for the 1938/39 season. In 1940-1988 was Tiit Kuusik soloist at the Theatre Estonia, in the season 1942/43 he sang at the Kassel State Opera.
As a singer, Tiit Kuusik had a remarkably long career and remained in a good ability to sing technically demanding repertoire even in his older ages. His voice was characterized by large scale and dramatic power, excellent vocal technique and rich sound.
In addition to singing opera, Tiit Kuusik was one of the best chamber singers of Estonia. He had a rich repertoire of over six hundred romantic solo songs and romances.
During the years 1940–1990 Tiit Kuusik was teacher at the Tallinn State Conservatory, where among his students a number of new Estonian opera singers emerged: Georg Ots, Aino Külvand, Ester Lepa, laulupedagoogid Raimund Alango and Alice Roolaid.

On September 17 at 7 pm, Tiit Kuusik devoted opera gala will take place at the Estonian National Opera. Excerpts from operas by Gioacchino Rossini, Giuseppe Verdi and Richard Wagner will be performed by soloists, choir and orchestra of the Estonian National Opera. Guest singer at gala is Estonian bass singer Ain Anger, known already in many opera stages around the world. Conductor is Arvo Volmer and director Arne Mikk.

On September 9, the I International Tiit Kuusik Lied Competition was announced at Tiit Kuusik’s memorial concert in Pärnu. The competition will take place in Pärnu from 27.-30 October 2011.

http://www.kuter.eu/kuusik/

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