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Location (square, palace, streets etc): Bistrampolis Manor Estate (14 km from Panevëþys, near Uliûnai village, 700 m off the Via Baltica highway), St. Casimir‘s Church, St. Catherine‘s Church, Applied Art Museum, Vilnius Picture Gallery, Vilnius Techers‘ House Courtyard

Organisers of the feast/festival: Public Institution “Kristupo festivalis”

Description of the feast/ festival: It is said that absolutely every Lithuanian spends the best days of summer by the sea or abroad – not true! This is the thirteenth year that the capital also becomes an appealing cultural resort, bringing relief to those residents of Vilnius who have been stuck indoors, and drawing people from all over Lithuania who are finally on vacation and can get out and socialise.
As always, the Christopher Summer Festival finds many ways of presenting us with excellent music, and this year more than ever, the sheer abundance of music on offer stands out for its variety and openess. And because weather forecasters have predicted a particularly hot summer, this annual fiesta of sound will not be limited to St.Catherine‘s Church and other regular concert performance spaces, but will spill out into cosy courtyards and squares, not to mention the romantic Bistrampolis Manor Estate.
The traditional “Christopher’s Claviers”, “Sacred Music Hours” and “Christopher’s Guitars” cycles will be spiced up with a new and suprising variety of genres and styles, such as harp music, open-air jazz and impressive world music projects.
Fans of flamenco will no doubt be pleased to hear that renowned Spanish guitarist Pepe Justicia will be in Lithuania during the Christopher Summer Festival with his group of musicians. Likened to a temperamental volcano, a veritable feast of virtuosity, this impressive event literally lives and breathes the spirit of authentic flamenco, and is sure to be a summer highlight. Just imagine, colleagues may boast about their trips to Spain, while you‘ll be able to say you have also been to Spain, and experienced something so much more than the standard fare tourists see, something that is sure to bring out the beauty of sound coming from the heart of this fine city.
An even more intriguing journey awaits audiences at the “Descendance” concert – if it may be called so. Australian aboriginal tribal dances are a wild and authentic spectacle born of the earliest communal sound and movement performances that have received public acclaim worldwide.
The Georgian Patriarchal folkloric ensemble “Basiani” will bring the romantic notions of longing and joy, of pain and eventual relief, and the sense of finally seeing the light – all brought to Vilnius audiences in the form of songs from this mountainous country to be experienced by all. Yet, what other musical genre can reveal the poignancy of the harsh hand of fate, the fires of love and the power of human passions if not gypsy music? 
The sensational gypsy swing guitarist Joscho Stephan is making his way to Vilnius with a quartet, presenting an excellent programme brimming with spontaneous jazz and gypsy-like passion. There is an internal driving force at the heart of these performers‘ playing that is dazzling in its virtuosity, with a flurry of swing on the side. 
World famous stars, the most prominent Lithuanian performers, interesting programmes, premieres, exotic and impressive shows plus fine chamber miracles – this year‘s festival gives audiences the chance to hear absolutely everything - everything that has not already been heard, or is common, unoriginal, or dull, that is. There can be no excuses about work demands keeping you from taking a trip: the music of the world has come to Vilnius, and promises a rich, cultural summer in the capital.

Official webiste www.kristupofestivaliai.lt

Programme 2007:

PLEASE NOTE! The festival organisers retain the right to change the programme
RELIMINARY FESTIVAL PROGRAMME

Sunday, July 1, 1 pm. St. Casimir‘s Church (34 Didþioji St)
SACRED MUSIC HOURS OPENING CONCERT
Alexandra Grot (flute, Germany), Renata Marcinkutë – Lesieur (organ)
G. F. Haendel, S. Karg-Elert, F. Martin, E. J. Bozza
Free admission

Sunday, July 1, 8 pm. Main courtyard of Vilnius University (3 Universiteto St). In case of rain, St. Catherine’s Church (30 Vilniaus St)
CHRISTOPHER SUMMER FESTIVAL OPENING CONCERT
AFRICAN SANCTUS (PREMIERE)
Soloist Irena Zlenkauskaitë (soprano)
Participants: “Polifonija” Ðiauliai State Chamber Choir (Leader: Gediminas Ramanauskas), “Dagilëlis” Boy’s Choir (Leader: Remigijus Adomaitis), Laimutë Mameniðkytë (piano), Percussion: Kæstutis Gascevièius, Gintautas Gascevièius, Aivaras Mundinas, Gediminas Dapkevièius, Jonas Lengvinas, Tomas Laugalis (synthesizer), Rokas Girèius (solo guitar), Laimonas Tamoðiûnas (bass guitar)
Conductor Gediminas Ramanauskas
Tickets: 20; 30; 40 Lt

Tuesday, July 3, 7 pm. St. Catherine’s Church (30 Vilniaus St)
PIANO RECITAL
Boris Spasski (piano, Switzerland)
F. Chopin
Tickets: 12; 20; 30; 40 Lt

Wednesday, July 4, 7 pm. Lithuanian Theatre, Music and Film Museum courtyard (41 Vilniaus St). In case of rain, St. Catherine’s Church (30 Vilniaus St)
CONCERTINO Accordion Quintet (Leader: Rièardas Sviackevièius)
Soloists: Kastytis Mikiðka (hornpipe), Saulius Auglys (marimba)
E. Grieg, A. Piazzolla, F. Latënas, D. Ellington and others
Tickets: 10 Lt

Sunday, July 8, 1 pm. St. Casimir’s Church (34 Didþioji St)
SACRED MUSIC HOURS
Tuomas Pyrhönen (organ, Finland)
J. S. Bach,  R. Schumann, J. Sibelius, T. Kuula and others
Free admission

Monday, July 9, 7 pm. St. Catherine’s Church (30 Vilniaus St)
CHRISTOPHER’S CLAVIERS OPENING CONCERT
PIANO RECITAL
Guoda Gedvilaitë (Germany)
E. Grieg, W. A. Mozart, F. Liszt, F. Schubert, F. Chopin, F. Poulenc / G. Gedvilaitë, M. Ravel, A. Piazzolla / G. Gedvilaitë
Tickets: 12; 20; 30 Lt

Thursday, July 12, 7 pm. St. Catherine’s Church (30 Vilniaus St)
CHRISTOPHER’S CLAVIERS
PIANO RECITAL
Sam Haywood (piano, Germany)
F. Chopin, J. Isserlis, J. N. Hummel, J. Field
Tickets: 12; 20; 30 Lt

Friday, July 13, 5.30 pm. Marijampolë Basilica (1 J. Bendoriaus St, Marijampolë)
Sunday, July 15, 1 pm. St. Casimir’s Church (34 Didþioji St)
SACRED MUSIC HOURS
Robert Robertsen (organ, Norway)
Chr. Erbach, Fr. Couperin, M. Krakowa, J.S. Bach and others
Free admission

Tuesday, July 17, 7 pm. Lithuanian Theatre, Music and Film Museum courtyard (41 Vilniaus St). In case of rain, St. Catherine’s Church (30 Vilniaus St)
AVIV STRING QUARTET: Sergey Ostrovsky (I violin), Evgenia Epshtein (II violin), Shuli Waterman (viola), Rachel Mercer (cello)
F. Mendelsohn, D. Shostakovich
Tickets: 10 Lt; 20 Lt

Thursday, July 19, 8 pm. Vilnius Teacher‘s House Courtyard (39 Vilnius St)
DESCENDANCE - Australian Aboriginal Dance Group
Australian aboriginal tribal dances
Tickets: 20; 30; 40 Lt

Friday, July 20, 5 pm. Church of St. Peter and Paul the Apostles (1 Vilniaus St, Molëtai)
Sunday, July 22, 1 pm. St. Casimir’s Church (34 Didþioji St)
SACRED MUSIC HOURS
Gottfried Holzer-Graf (organ, Austria)
L. Marchand, J.S. Bach, J. Alain, G. Litaize
Free admission

Friday, July 20, 7 pm. St. Catherine’s Church (30 Vilniaus St)
CHRISTOPHER’S CLAVIERS
Soloist  Leonid Chizhik (piano, Germany)
Participants St. Christopher Chamber Orchestra (artistic director and conductor: Donatas Katkus)
Conductor Donatas Katkus
W. A. Mozart, jazz improvisations
Tickets: 12; 20; 30; 40 Lt

Sunday, July 22, 7 pm. St. Catherine’s Church (30 Vilniaus St)
CHRISTOPHER’S CLAVIERS
PIANO RECITAL
Konstantin Lifschitz (piano, Germany)
J. S. Bach
Tickets: 12; 20; 30; 40 Lt

Tuesday, July 24, 7 pm. St. Catherine’s Church (30 Vilniaus St)
CHRISTOPHER’S CLAVIERS CLOSING CONCERT
Soloist Konstantin Lifschitz (piano, Germany)
Participants St. Christopher Chamber Orchestra (artistic director and conductor: Donatas Katkus)
Conductor Konstantin Lifschitz
F. Chopin, W. A. Mozart
Tickets: 12; 20; 30; 40 Lt

July 25 - ST. CHRISTOPHER’S DAY, PATRON SAINT OF VILNIUS

7.30 pm, Vilnius Picture Gallery courtyard (4 Didþioji St), in case of rain, St. Catherine’s Church (30 Vilniaus St)
BASIANI Folkloric ensemble (Georgia)
Georgian folk songs, instrumental music, dances
Tickets: 20; 30; 40 Lt

9 pm, Town Hall Square (31 Didþioji St)
Live Statue Orchestra
Conductor Donatas Katkus
Free admission

10 pm, Vilnius Picture Gallery courtyard (4 Didþioji St)
DJ FIESTA
Free admission

Thursday, July 26, 7 pm. St. Catherine’s Church (30 Vilniaus St)
CHRISTOPHER’S GUITARS OPENING CONCERT
Joscho Stephan Guitar Quartet (Germany)
D. Reinhardt, J. Stephan, Creamer / Leaton, Bernie / Pinkard / Casey, Reinhardt / Grappelli, F. Waller, D. Schmitt
Tickets: 20; 30; 40; 60 Lt

Friday, July 27, 5.30 pm. Marijampolë Basilica (1 J. Bendoriaus St, Marijampolë)
Sunday, July 29, 1 pm. St. Casimir’s Church (34 Didþioji St)
SACRED MUSIC HOURS
Irena Budrytë-Kummer (organ, Germany), Samuel Kummer (organ, Germany)
D. Buxtehude, J. S. Bach, G. Merkel, S. Kummer, F. Liszt
Free admission

Friday, July 27, 7pm. St. Catherine’s Church (30 Vilniaus St)
CHRISTOPHER’S GUITARS
Reinbert Evers (guitar, Germany), Matias de Oliveira-Pinto (cello, Germany)
M. de Falla, M. Ravel, J. Juozapaitis and others
Tickets: 12; 20; 30 Lt

Saturday, July 28, 7 pm. Vilnius Picture Gallery courtyard (4 Didþioji St)
 Federal Youth Wind Orchestra (Germany)
Conductor: Frieder Stoll
Ph. Sparke, J. Williams, D. Brossé
Free admission

Wednesday, August 1, 7 pm. St. Catherine’s Church (30 Vilniaus St)
CHRISTOPHER’S GUITARS
PRAGUE GUITAR QUARTET (Czech Republic): Marek Veleminsky (guitar), Vaclav Kucera (guitar), Jan Tulacek (guitar), Patrick Vacik (guitar)
F. M. Torroba, C. Debussy, I. Albeniz
Tickets: 12; 20; 30 Lt

Friday, August 3, 5.30 pm. Marijampolë Basilica (1 J. Bendoriaus St., Marijampolë)
Sunday, August 5, 1 pm. St. Casimir’s Church (34 Didþioji St)
SACRED MUSIC HOURS
Urszula Mizia (cello, Poland), Dan Lönnqvist (organ, Finland)
J. S. Bach, J. Pachelbel, H. Eccles, G. Böhm and others
Free admission

Friday, August 3, 7 pm. St. Catherine’s Church (30 Vilniaus St)
CHRISTOPHER’S GUITARS
Emanuele Segre (guitar, Spain)
M. Giuliani, C. Boccadoro, B. Kovats and others
Tickets: 12; 20; 30 Lt

Saturday, August 4, 7 pm. St. Catherine’s Church (30 Vilniaus St)
CHRISTOPHER’S GUITARS
Eva Beneke (guitar, Germany), Laurence Maufroy (guitar, France), Igor Dedusenka (guitar, Belarus), Duðan Oravec (guitar, Germany)
J. S. Bach, J. Rodrigo, J. K. Mertz, F. Moreno-Torroba, A. Piazzolla and others
Tickets: 10; 15; 20 Lt

Monday, August 6, 7 pm. St. Catherine’s Church (30 Vilniaus St)
MUSICAL VOYAGE “STRANGE STORIES”
Performed by: NEW VILNIUS TRIO - Antanas Taloèka (clarinet), Aidas Strimaitis (violin), Rûta Mikelaitytë (piano)
Actors: Agnë Ramanauskaitë and Paulius Tamolë
Choreographer: Edita Stundytë
D. Milhaud, I. Stravinsky, M. Kagel, G. Kuprevièius, Z. Bruþaitë
Tickets: 12; 20; 30 Lt

Tuesday, August 7, 7 pm. St. Catherine’s Church (30 Vilniaus St)
CHRISTOPHER’S GUITARS
Artiom Dervoedov (guitar, Russia), Otto Tolonen (guitar, Finland)
J. S. Bach, J. Hartikainen, P. Vasks and others
Tickets: 12; 20; 30 Lt

Wednesday, August 8, 7 pm. Lithuanian Theatre, Music and Film Museum courtyard (41 Vilniaus St). In case of rain, St. Catherine’s Church (30 Vilniaus St)
EXCELSIOR International Baltic Accordion Quintet: Eduardas Gabnys (accordion), Genadijus Savkovas (accordion), Vladimiras Uðakovas (accordion), Sergejus Lichaèiovas (accordion), Svetlana Stavickaja (accordion)
N. Rota, A. Templton, V. Loèeris, A. Ðnitke, I. Cvetkov, A. Piazzolla, V. Vlasov and others
Tickets: 10 Lt

Thursday, August 9, 7 pm. Vilnius Teacher‘s House Courtyard (39 Vilnius St)
CHRISTOPHER’S GUITARS CLOSING CONCERT
Pepe Justicia & group (Spain)
Flamenco
Tickets: 20; 30; 40; 60 Lt

Friday, August 10, 5.30 pm. Marijampolë Basilica (1 J. Bendoriaus St, Marijampolë)
Sunday, August 12, 1 pm. St. Casimir’s Church (34 Didþioji St)
SACRED MUSIC HOURS
Timothy Hone (organ, Great Britain)
V. Lübeck, J. S. Bach, A. Kalçjs, R. Schumann, Ch. M. Widor and others
Free admission

Friday, August 10, 7 pm. Vilnius Picture Gallery courtyard (4 Didþioji St). In case of rain, St. Catherine’s Church (30 Vilniaus St)
Wind Ensemble - Sound inn brass (Austria)
W. A. Mozart, J. Strauss, Ph. Sparke, J. Parker
Tickets: 12; 15 Lt

Monday, August 13, 7 pm. St. Catherine’s Church (30 Vilniaus St)
Soloist Rûta Bagurskienë (cello)
Participants Christopher Wind Quintet
Y. Gulda
Tickets: 12; 20; 30 Lt

Wednesday, August 15, 7 pm. St. Catherine’s Church (30 Vilniaus St)
Liora Grodinkaitë (mezzo soprano, Great Britain), Leonidas Dorfmanas (piano, Germany)
I. Stravinsky, E. Elgar, S. Rachmaninov, N. Medtner
Tickets: 12; 20; 30 Lt

Friday, August 17, 7.30 pm. Church of St. Peter and Paul the Apostles (1 Vilniaus St, Molëtai)
Sunday, August 19, 1 pm. St. Casimir’s Church (34 Didþioji St)
SACRED MUSIC HOURS
Marco Lo Muscio (organ, Italy)
J. S. Bach, A. Pärt, K. Jarrett, J. Langlais and others
Free admission

Tuesday, August 21, 7 pm. Applied Art Museum (3A Arsenalo St)
Agnë Keblytë (harp), Joana Daunytë (harp), Aistë Baliûnytë (harp), Felicita Marockinaitë (harp), Marie Lachat (harp, France/Switzerland)
Programme: J. S. Bach, C. Ph. E. Bach, J. Field, B. Britten and others
Tickets: 10; 15 Lt

Thursday, August 23, 7 pm. Applied Art Museum (3A Arsenalo St)
Soloist Florence Sitruk (harp, Germany)
Participants M. K. Èiurlionis Quartet
M. Tournier, J. Pillois, J. Cras, M. Ravel
Tickets: 15; 20 Lt

Sunday, August 26, 1 pm. St. Casimir’s Church (34 Didþioji St)
SACRED MUSIC HOURS CLOSING CONCERT
Leopoldas Digrys (organ), “Jauna muzika” Choir
Conductor: Vaclovas Augustinas
J. K. Kuchar, O. Macha, P. Eben, E. Elgar, G. Mahler and others
Free admission

Tuesday, August 28, 7 pm. St. Catherine’s Church (30 Vilniaus St)
FESTIVAL CLOSING CONCERT
B. Kutavièius’ “Ruduo” (Autumn) based on K. Donelaitis’ poem “Metai” (Years) (PREMIERE)
Participants: St. Christopher Chamber Orchestra
Conductor: Donatas Katkus
Tickets: 12; 20; 30; 40 Lt

CHRISTOPHER‘S PICNICS AT BISTRAMPOLIS MANOR ESTATE
Spend a Sunday summer afternoon at the romantic Bistrampolis Manor Estate!
The “Christopher Summer Festival” has something very special to offer its audiences. It’s a sultry summer Sunday, the next day’s work forces you to stay closer to home, but why not find relief at Bistrampolis Manor Estate, where authentic unrestored buildings stand surrounded by a wonderful natural landscape – a truly romantic spirit fills the air. 
You’ll feel as if you’ve found a hidden world, a world far removed from the grime, noise and rush of the city. Here, time stands still, amid cool shadows of hundred year old trees and wonderful music. A flowing summer dress, a white summer parasol, watching others deep in conversation, the sheer joy of children coming alive in these new surroundings, refreshing drinks and delicious snacks, or perhaps a flight of fancy in a plane? …The atmosphere is set – all you need to do is arrive, unwind and enjoy. 
Every second Sunday from the middle of July make your way to Bistrampolis Manor Estate and discover - “4 tango” and Brigita Bublytë present a tango-inspired event not to be missed (July 15); Germany’s Youth Wind Orchestra’s colourful arrangements of your favourite movie moments will sweep you away (July 29); young guitar virtuosos invite you into their intimately subtle world of chamber music (August 5); and the appealing and creative accordion and vocal ensemble of “Chill’out” will not only deliver pleasing jazz standards, but also reveal their original creative compositions (August 19).
Ticket costs 12 Lt for adults, and 6 Lt for school and university students and pensioners.
Enjoy many magical moments at Christopher‘s Picnics! 

Sunday, July 15, 5 pm
NOTHING BUT THE WHIRL OF THE TANGO
Soloist BRIGITA BUBLYTË (vocals)
Participants: “4 TANGO” Ensemble - Kristina Þebrauskaitë (accordion), Feliksas Zakrevskis (piano), Birutë Bagdonienë (cello), Donatas Bagurskas (bass)
Programme: the most beautiful tango melodies
Tickets: 12 Lt; 6 Lt (school and university students, pensioners)

Sunday, July 29, 5 pm
FANFARE ECHOES
Federal Youth Wind Orchestra (Germany)
Conductor: Frieder Stoll
Programme: Ph. Sparke, J. Williams, D. Brossé
Tickets: 12 Lt; 6 Lt (school and university students, pensioners)

Sunday, August 5, 5 pm
HOT SUMMER GUITAR
Eva Beneke (guitar, Germany), Laurence Maufroy (guitar, France), Igor Dedusenka (guitar, Belarus), Duðan Oravec (guitar, Germany)
Programme: J. S. Bach, J. Rodrigo, J. K. Mertz, F. Moreno-Torroba, A. Piazzolla and others
Tickets: 12 Lt; 6 Lt (school and university students, pensioners)

Sunday, August 19, 5 pm
CLOSING CONCERT
Accordion trio CHILL‘ OUT: Nerijus Bakula (accordion), Romas Morkûnas (accordion), Audrius Pazniokas (accordion)
Participants: Rûta Ðvipaitë (vocals), Valentina Jaronskaja (keyboards, vocals)
Tickets: 12 Lt; 6 Lt (school and university students, pensioners)