Müriaadfest opens rehearsals and workshops to audiences

The Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre’s Müriaadfest will open to audiences for classes, workshops and rehearsals as well as concerts and performances, ERR reported. The five-day festival runs from October 20 to 24.

“Müriaadfest gives people the chance to hear and see what our students and lecturers are working on and what inspires them creatively,” said Henry-David Varema, the academy’s vice-rector for creative activity and international relations. He said the open sessions would show how students and lecturers work together, and give audiences a closer look at the practice and discussion behind performances.

The festival opens on October 20 with a concert by the academy’s wind orchestra, featuring clarinettist Isabella Runge and trumpeter Indrek Vau, conducted by Toomas Vavilov.

On October 21, audiences can see contemporary performance arts student Elar Vahter’s work “Mees ja müüt” and hear jazz students perform music by John Coltrane in honour of the 100th anniversary of his birth.

A discussion on whether talent is “a gift or an obligation”, led by rector Ivari Ilja, is scheduled for October 22. The programme will continue with a workshop by Norwegian producer and live-sampling pioneer Jan Bang, followed by a chamber ensemble concert featuring new compositions by academy students.

Bang will lead another workshop on October 23. The day will also include an open rehearsal of Tiit Ojasoo’s upcoming production “Lavaka katsed” and open rehearsals by the academy’s symphony orchestra and opera studio.

Open organ classes are planned for October 24. The festival will close with a concert by the academy’s symphony orchestra, featuring saxophonist Ganmin Xie, the academy’s women’s choir and Ellerhein. Mihhail Gerts will conduct.