VOCALISTS’ DEBUT – A SUCCESS
For the first time in our history, our events featured vocalists. The experiment in three Lithuanian prisons (Spring 2024 Series on May 21-24) exceeded expectations – the inspirational recitals of German soprano Elena Sverdiolaite and Lithuanian tenor Rafailas Karpis (assisted by pianists Gustas Raudonius and Darius Mazintas respectively) culminated in standing ovations, inmates’ singing, and their reaffirming testimonials following the opening concerts in two prisons in Pravienškės.
Our Artist in residence, S. Gordon Harwood created abstract paintings during each of the events and gifted them to our audiences.
Canadian Ambassador to Lithuania Hon. Jeanette Sautner has honoured our Program by paying a historic visit and delivering opening remarks during our “fully packed” event at the Panevežys Women’s prison.
Mindaugas Kairys, a newly appointed Head of Lithuania’s Correctional Services, delivered powerful and unexpectedly emotional closing remarks, emphasizing the positive impact of our gift on the faith of the inmate population.
Our fourth and last performance in Kaunas prison featured our program debutants from Austria Ieva Pranskute, violin and Mislav Brajković, cello. Their highly expressive and professional performance and engaging interaction with the audience inspired intense applause and an invitation to return.
MAY 21 – PRAVIENISKES 1st PRISON
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- Elena Sverdiolaite, soprano (right), Gustas Raudonius, piano
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- Elena Sverdiolaite, Gustas Raudonius, Dimitri Kanovich, S.Gordon Harwood
MAY 21 – PRAVIENISKES 2nd PRISON
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- S Gordon Harwood, Mindaugas Žirlys, warden, Dimitri Kanovich
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- Dimitri Kanovich, Rafailas Karpis, tenor, Darius Mazintas, piano, S Gordon Harwood
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- Audience reaction
May 23 – PANEVEZYS
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- Mindaugas Kairys, Head Lithuanian Correctional Services Hon. Jeanette Sautner, Canada’s Ambassador to Lithuania Dmitri Kanovich, Founder and CEO, LATS Jūratė Lekiatinė, Warden Panevėžio Prison
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- After concert in Panevezys with Mindaugas Kairys, Gustas Raudonius ir Elena Sverdiolaite
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- Panevezys prison – general view
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- S. Gordon Harwood, Artist in residence in Panevezys prison
MAY 24 – KAUNAS
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- Ieva Pranskute, violin and Mislav Brajković, cello
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- Ieva Pranskute, violin and Mislav Brajković, cello
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- S Gordon Harwood – Work in progress
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- General photo
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- General View
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- This inmate has mirrored our logo on the white board
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- and engraved it on the wall of the concert hall
