Hedi Pärtna receives first Jüri Alperten scholarship

Mezzo-soprano Hedi Pärtna, a master’s student in classical singing, has received the first Jüri Alperten scholarship, ERR reported.

The scholarship was awarded by the committee of the Jüri Alperten subfund of the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre Fund. Pärtna began studying music at Kiviõli School of Arts, initially focusing on piano. After graduating from Kiviõli Gymnasium, she continued her studies at the academy under Juhan Tralla.

Pärtna has performed at the academy’s MÜRIAADfest, at the concert “Lunch with Music” and at concerts organised by the singing and accompaniment departments. She has also taken roles in projects by the academy’s opera studio, including Britten’s “The Little Sweep”, Rannap’s “Metsalaulupidu” and Scarlatti’s “Armutruudus”.

Alperten’s widow established the subfund this year to honour the conductor’s musical and teaching legacy and support young classical singing talent at the academy. It aims to carry forward his interest in opera and vocal chamber music and in performers of those genres.

Jüri Alperten was an Estonian conductor and pianist who taught conducting at the academy for decades. He conducted at the Estonian National Opera from 1985 and was its orchestra’s chief conductor from 2002 to 2004. He also served as chief conductor of the academy’s symphony orchestra from 1994 to 2000 and of the Pärnu City Orchestra from 1998 to 2019.