VII Pärnu Organ Festival, June 4–August 27
The 8th Pärnu Organ Festival is dedicated to Bach's anniversary year – 325 years since the birth and 260 year since the death of composer. Also, the 80. anniversary of Estonian organist Rolf Uusväli is celebtrated this year. During the festival, in each evening at 8pm from June to August, a concert of organ music is held in Pärnu St. Elizabeth Church. Performers are Aabi Ausmaa (trombone), Piret Aidulo (organ), Elke Unt (organ), Virgo Veldi (saxophone), Ines Maidre (organ), Jaanus Torrim (organ), mezzo soprano Merle Silmato and many other musicians. On August 27. a new exclusive organ will be presented in Pärnu St. Elizabeth Church, the ceremonial concert begins at 6pm.
The artistic director of the festival is organist Jaanus Torrim.
Chamber Music in Forgotten and Unforgettable Manors, June 12–August 21 |
Veljo Tormis Festival, June12 to August 7 In July, Veljo Tormis Festival, dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the composer, will continue within the framework of the Nargen Festival. The concerts of Tormis’s music will take place at Market of Port of Tallinn, Omari Barn on Island of Naissaar and Noblessner Foundry in Tallinn. Music will be performed by Estonian Television Girls’ Choir, Villu Veski & Tiit Kalluste, Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, Tallinn Chamber Orchestra, young folk and electronic musicians, Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, Estonian National Male Choir, Choir of the State Concert Institute Eesti Kontsert and soloists. Nargen Festival has been held since 2006, the artistic director is Tõnu Kaljuste. |
The Piano Comes to Visit: Two in One, July 1 to 23 Concerts by Rein Rannap and Mihkel Mattisen at different Estonian churches. The program consists of piano music for four hands by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Franz Schubert, Johannes Brahms and others, settings for piano of orchestral music by Pyotr Tchaikovsky and Johann Strauss and Songs on Piano, especially composed for this concert tour by Rannap. |
David Oistrakh Festival, July 5–23 in Pärnu
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Pärnu Opera Days, July 9–10 |
Pärnu Opera Summer Air Festival, July 10–August 10
Pärnu summer opera festival will be held on July 10 to August 10 in Pärnu Old Town Courtyard (Nikolai 26 / Pühavaimu 19), and includes various shows and concerts of opera music. According to the organizers, the festival offers a kaleidoscopic set of sounds, colors, smells, movement, words, shapes and patterns that form new structures and narratives. In addition, concerts and workshops for both children and adults will be organized.
Festival’s artistic director is Andrus Kallastu.
Hiiumaa Chamber Music Days, July 9 to 11 The 12th Hiiumaa Chamber Music Days will be held at Reigi Church, Kärdla Long House, Kärdla Church and Suuremõisa Castle. Among the performers there are vocal ensemble Vox Clamantis; string quartet (Danae Taamal, Kristel Arund, Laur Eensalu, Ardo Västrik); Ulla Bürger (soprano), Aet Ratassepp, Miina Järvi (violin), Johanna Vahermägi, Madis Järvi (viola), Marius Järvi (cello); Iren Lill (harpsichord) with Fred Jüssi (text) and Hedvig Hanson (vocal) and Andre Maaker (guitar). |
Music of Seven Towns, July 9–16 |
Viljandi Early Music Festival, July 14 to 18 Viljandi Early Music Festival takes place for the 25th time in a South Estonia’s oldest town Viljandi. The jubilee festival features Hortus Musicus, Viljandi Linnakapell, legendary choreographer Jane Gingell with her partner Kaj Sylegard, European Union Chamber Orchestra, an early music ensemble Ministriles de Marsias (Spain) and Iren Lill with Fred Jüssi. The closing concert of the festival offers Baroque opera Acis and Galatea by Georg Friedrich Händel performed by young early musicians. The concerts will take place at Ugala Theatre, St. Paul’s Church, St. John’s Church and Babtiste Church. The artistic director of the festival is Neeme Punder. |
Haapsalu Early Music Festival, July 14 to 18 The 17th Haapsalu Early Music Festival offers six concerts at Haapsalu Dome Church and Haapsalu Kuursaal. The festival program consists of music by Johann Valentin Meder, Antonio de Cabezóni, Antoni Vivaldi, Italian and German composers from 17th century and others performed by Studio Vocale, Haapsalu Festival Choir, Tallinn Baroque Orchestra, soloists, boys’ choir Les Petits Chanteurs à la Croix de Bois (Paris), ensemble Ministriles de Marsias (Spain), ensemble Battalia (Finland) and Iren Lill with Fred Jüssi. The artistic director of the festival is Toomas Siitan. |
Lihula Music Days, July 15 to 18 The 2nd classical music festival Lihula Music Days presents over 40 musicians and eight lithographers, among them young talented performers and already acknowledged artists. Festival will also mark the 70th anniversary of Pyotr Tchaikovsky – his piano music will be performed by Alexander Markovich (Russia). Festival is organised by Miina Järvi and Mihkel Järvi. |
Glasperlenspiel Music Festival (The Glass Bead Game), July 15–20 Glasperlenspiel Festival in Tartu offers ten different events. The performers of the festival are |
Haapsalu String Festival, July 21–25 |
XVII Rapla Church Music Festival, July 22–August 1 |
Opera in Town Hall, July 23–August 6 The main goal of the concert series Opera in Town Hall is to give the listeners a chance to enjoy beautiful vocal music performed by musicians from Estonia and abroad. This year the concert series consists of 4 concerts which will all take place at Tallinn Town Hall. The list of performers include sopranos Liene Kinca (Latvia) and Angela Papane (Italy), mezzo-soprano Kai Rüütel, tenor Oliver Kuusik, baritone Aare Saal, basso Priit Volmer, pianists Tarmo Eespere, Piia Paemurru, Fabia Massa et al. Tarmo Eespere, the concert master of the Estonian National Opera, is the initiator of this concert series. |
Tallinn 24th International Organ Festival, July 30–August 8
Tallinn 24th International Organ Festival is held from July 30 to August 8 in Tallinn, Pärnu, Tartu, Iisaku and Kodavere.
The festival is dedicated to anniversary year of J. S. Bach and offers a diverse choice of concerts, as well as masterclasses by Pierre Pincemaille, Guy Bovet and David Timm (with Estonian saxophonist Lembit Saarsalu). The festival performers come from 7 foreign countries, and additionally Estonian organists Piret Aidulo, Aare-Paul Lattik, Ines Maidre, Tiia Tenno, organists-composers Jaanus Torrim, Toomas Trass, Andres Uibo, and pianists Peep Lassmann and Ivo Sillamaa will step up. Also Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, Tallinn Boys’ Choir and Hortus Musicus with conductors Daniel Reuss and Lydia Rahula will perform.
The festival is organized by the Estonian State Concert Agency, producer and artistic director is festival’s founder, organist Andres Uibo.