DIRIGENT
Atvars LAKSTĪGALA was the principal conductor of the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra from 2010 to 2017. Since 2009 he has been a guest conductor at the Latvian National Opera. He played french horn professionally from 1997 until 2010 as soloist, chamber and orchestra musician. Lakstīgala has won several international competitions. He has also been nominated for the Latvian Great Music Award several times and won the prestigious award in 2010 for best debut and in 2017 for best concert of the year.
He studied music at Jazeps Vitols Latvian Academy of Music, graduating as a French horn player (class of prof. Arvīds Klisans), wind orchestra conductor (class of prof. Janis Purins) and symphonic orchestra conductor (class of prof. Imants Resnis), further improving professional mastery with Vassily Sinaisky, Leonid Grin, Neeme Jarvi, Paavo Jarvi, Heinrich Schiff and other distinguished teachers.
From 2009 to 2011 Atvars Lakstigala studied at the Berlin University of the Arts with professor Lutz Koehler
With Liepāja Symphony orchestra A. Lakstīgala produced a large number of works by composers from Latvia and abroad, conducted concerts trough Latvia and toured in Asia and Europe.
His work with Latvian National Opera includes the operas La Traviata, Un ballo in maschera, Macbeth, Tosca, Mikhail and Mikhail Play Chess, Eugene Onegin, and Puccini’s Triptych as well as ballets Giselle, Lady of the Camellias and Three Meetings. Lakstīgalas enjoyed great success conducting at the prestigious Sigulda International Opera Festival, with performances of Arvīds Žilinskis opera Zelta Zirgs (The Golden horse), G.Verdi’s Falstaff as well as Tosca and a gala concert in 2016 and 2018 featuring famous Latvian soprano Marina Rebeka.
Chritics and music lovers are highly appreciated A.Lakstigalas recorded seventeen CD albums and conducted concerts with Lithuanian State symphony orchestra, Latvian National Symphony orchestra, the Orchestra Sinfonica di Bari, the Orchestra Sinfonica di Roma, KODA chamber orchestra, Milli Reasürans chamber orchestra in Turkey, the Philharmonie Südwestfalen in Germany, Tallin chamber orchestra and the Kammerphilharmonie Graubünden in Switzerland. He has also conducted Prokofiev Cinderella’s performances by the Scottish Ballet in Glasgow, Inverness and Aberdeen as well as thenpremiere of Nikolai Kapustin’s Concerto with the Orquestra Jazz Sinfônica in São Paulo, Brasil. Recent and future engagements include concert in Yuri Bashmet festival with The Belarusian State Academic Symphony Orchestra and music director and conductor for original open air G.Puccini’s “Tosca” production in Sigulda Opera festival. In july of 2021 Atvars made his debut in Israel as music director for G.Puccini’s opera “La Boheme”.
CD albums
Odradek records:
1. https://www.odradek-records.com/album/majesty/
2. http://www.odradek-records.com/album/lso/
3. http://www.odradek-records.com/album/pina-napolitano-lso-atvars-lakstigala/
4. https://www.amazon.com/Liepaja-Concerti-Vol-ATVARS-LAKSTIGALA/dp/B078859J7Q
Wergo records:
1. https://en.schott-music.com/shop/sala-musica-appassionata-credo-album-plus-booklet-noq51738.html
2. https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/8189048--vasks-flute-concerto-symphony-no-3
Dana cord records:
https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/8036465--trumpet-concertos#reviews
Skani records:
1. https://www.lmic.lv/en/skani/catalogue?id=175
2. https://www.lmic.lv/en/skani/catalogue?id=168
3. https://www.lmic.lv/en/skani/catalogue?id=167
4. https://www.lmic.lv/en/skani/catalogue?id=133
5. https://www.lmic.lv/en/skani/catalogue?id=131
6. https://www.lmic.lv/en/skani/catalogue?id=143
7. https://www.lmic.lv/en/skani/catalogue?id=136
Only published recording, where I am playing french horn:
https://open.spotify.com/track/41KnkJsO7KesMU2GyQHyzm?si=5a701e9462bf4c15
