The UVA University Singers, the University of Virginia’s flagship choral ensemble, and faculty conductor Michael Slon recently returned from an extraordinary concert tour to the Baltics, extending UVA’s cultural reach to Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Performing in five cities, the Singers had a chance to interact with distinguished musicians including composer Ēriks Ešenvalds, and members of the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra and National Opera Orchestra.
The Baltics are known for their singing culture, including the remarkable events of the “Singing Revolution” which helped hasten an end to Soviet rule in all three countries. In Estonia, students had a chance to visit the historic Song Festival grounds, sing concerts in Tallinn’s Kaarli Church and university town Tartu’s St. John’s Church, and tour the Arvo Pärt Center, dedicated to that composer’s life and work. In Riga, the Singers enjoyed a master class with the world famous choral composer Ešenvalds – who had visited UVA last year for a residency, and he later joined the ensemble on stage to conduct one of his works. In the same concert, the group collaborated with some of Riga’s finest musicians to present an encore performance of Mozart’s Requiem (which they sang here with the Charlottesville Symphony in March). In the stunning setting of Riga’s Old Town St. John’s Church, the Singers, Latvian orchestra and conductor Slon were joined by several UVA student soloists, Latvian mezzo–soprano Agneta Otaņķe, and UVA music alum and professional soprano Martha Eason, who now sings in Germany fulltime.
In Lithuania, as in Riga, both concerts were standing room only – and the University Singers received remarkably warm ovations from the crowds. The Czech folk song “Tancuj” was met with particular enthusiasm, and when offered as an encore in both Vilnius and Kaunas, the audience joined in, joyfully clapping along. (To see a brief video clip, view here.) The concert program also included music from America, and representative works from all three countries. Meanwhile, cultural tour stops included visits to Rundale Palace and the famous Hill of Crosses en route to Vilnius, and the Old Towns of all three capital cities. (Indeed, in Tallinn the students serendipitously witnessed the president of Estonia greeting the president of Botswana as they began a state visit.)
Fourth year singer Elle Woodard, who had a chance to have her thesis piece workshopped with Ešenvalds, said: “Tour was a truly transformative experience. I had the chance to make music in the most breathtaking venues I’ve ever seen, surrounded by my closest friends. Each performance felt like a once-in-a-lifetime moment — full of beauty, laughter, and deep connection… I’m so grateful for this chapter — and more inspired than ever to keep making music wherever life takes me.”
The University Singers are grateful not only to the Dept. of Music, but also the Joseph and Robert Cornell Memorial Foundation for significant support to underwrite this tour.
For more info visit: http://music.virginia.edu/usingers | https://usingers.virginia.edu
https://music.virginia.edu/uva-university-singers-international-concert-tour-baltics
UVA University Singers 2025 International Concert Tour Itinerary:
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Concert, 7:00 pm
Tallinn, Estonia: Kaarli Church
Thursday, May 22, 2025
Concert, 5:30 pm
Tartu, Estonia: St. John’s Church
Saturday, May 24, 2025
Masterclass with Ēriks Ešenvalds
Sunday, May 25, 2025
Concert, 7:00 pm
Riga, Latvia: St. John’s Church
Tuesday, May 27, 2025
Concert, 7:00 pm
Kaunas, Lithuania: St. George the Martyr Church
Wednesday, May 28, 2025:
Concert, 7:00 pm
Vilnius, Lithuania: St. Francis and St. Bernard Church