Directing "La voix humaine" in Lithuania

Panevėžys Music Theater is set to shake up its audiences with the highly anticipated premiere of Francis Poulenc's "La voix humaine" on October 5, 2024. This one-act opera, renowned for its emotional depth and intense monologue, features a libretto by Jean Cocteau and centers on a woman's final phone conversation with her lover.

Full video of  Cendrillon by Massenet

Video of the 2023 production of Massenet's sparkling masterpiece "Cendrillon" is now available in full length at the Youtube channel of Pärnu International Opera Music Festival PromFest. The video has English subtitles.

Premiere of CENDRILLON


Opera "Cendrillon" will premiere today at the Kaunas State Musical Theatre, Lithuania. "Cendrillon" is an opera - described as a "fairy tale" - in four acts by Jules Massenet to a French libretto by Henri Caïn based on Perrault's 1698 version of the Cinderella fairy tale.

Opera "Cendrillon" dressed to the nines

The first rehearsal week of "Cendrillon" by Jules Massenet draws to an end. 
In this production, the Cinderella fairy tale takes place on the backdrop of the glamorous world of fashion, complete with runway shows and model fittings. The staging zooms in on the lives and ambitions of the wealthy and powerful De La Haltière family. It deals with the topic of dull reality versus irresistible virtual reality. And, of course, tells a story of a young woman living in forsaken circumstances whose life suddenly changes to remarkable fortune. Using the original ballet music of the piece, "Cendrillon" will have three fashion shows demonstrating the creations of the high-end fashion label De La Haltière. All of the collections are put together using the principles of circularity - redesigning garments and recapturing “waste” as a resource to manufacture new products.

Massenet's Cendrillon underway



Cendrillon is an opera described as a "fairy tale in music" by Jules Massenet, based on Perrault's 1698 version of the Cinderella fairy tale. The opera is produced by  Pärnu International Opera Music Festival PromFest in cooperation with Kaunas State Musical Theatre. The premiere of the opera about overcoming self-doubt and achieving true happiness is set to take place on September 7th, 2023.

Les Contes d'Hoffmann

Have a peek through the looking glass into the curious world of Offenbach's "Les Contes d'Hoffmann" where nothing is quite what it seems...
Here are a virtual stage model and costume sketches made for an international directing competition. The competition aimed at selecting the best artistic concept for opera “Les Contes d’Hoffmann”, to be staged as a new production in the 2022 / 2023 Season.

From the shoe workshop


The characters of "Il Turco in Italia" literally take to their heels, escaping from the drawings and ending up as real objects. Here is a quick look into the workshop of Marina Kazijeva who crafts the glitzy footwear of this opera by hand.

Rehearsals begin for "Il Turco"

The story of Rossini's “Il Turco in Italia” revolves around a young Turkish prince, who driven by a tempest, lands in Italy and falls in love with the first pretty woman that chance throws in his way. Object of his desire, a beautiful Italian Fiorilla is of course delighted with the attention and sees this as a welcome opportunity to torment her jealous husband. The plot thickens when it turns out that the prince also has an abandoned mistress still in love with him and Fiorella is admired by a lover who is not yet willing to give up his position. A worthy scenario for an opera, soap-opera or indeed… a TV show.

Full video of "I Capuleti e i Montecchi"

Video of the 2019 production of Bellini's sparkling masterpiece "I Capuleti e i Montecchi" is now available in full length at the Youtube channel of Pärnu International Opera Music Festival PromFest.


Premiere of "Zanaida"

A forgotten treasure - J:Bach's opera "Zanaida" will have its premiere tonight at Staatstheater Mainz, Germany. See some drawings for the production as well as behind-the-scenes video here.

J.C.Bach's opera "Zanaida" at Mainz

This week brings the first rehearsals of J.C.Bach's opera "Zanaida" at  Staatstheater Mainz, Germany. The brand new production of this near-forgotten opera is led by musical director Adam Benzwi and stage director Max Hopp. Set and costume designer of the opera is Madis Nurms, lights by René Zensen and dramaturg is Christin Hagemann.  The opera has a fresh German libretto by Doris Decker.

New pictures of "I Capuleti"

Here is a selection of fresh images from the Lithuanian premiere of Bellini's "I Capuleti e i Montecchi" caught by photographer Domas Rimeika.

"I Capuleti" premiere in Lithuania

Today Bellini's bel canto masterpiece "I Capuleti e i Montecchi" will have it's second premiere, the opening night in Lithuania, on the stage of the National Kaunas Drama Theatre. 

Premiere of "I Capuleti" - Gallery


It's time to rise the curtain for the premiere of Bellini's "I Capuleti e i Montecchi" in Pärnu, Estonia.  The stage director of the production is Katrin Tegova, musical director Erki Pehk, set and costume designer Madis Nurms, choreographer Dainius Bervingis, lighting designer Margus Vaigur, video by Argo Valdmaa. 

The design is inspired by two musical moments in the opera: first a recurring theme from Sinfonia that resembles galloping horses and secondly a phrase from Giulietta's aria:  "I burn, a blaze, a fire  all my torment" (Ardo...una vampa, un foco  tutta mi strugge). First of the two inspired the central images of the set design, another provided the gleaming-hot orange color scheme of the costumes.    

Preparing "I Capuleti"

See how the bel canto masterpiece Bellini's "I Capuleti e i Montecchi" is coming together in the workshops of Kaunas State Music Theatre in Lithuania. 

Last three "Aidas"

After four years of performances its time to say goodbye to the production of G.Verdi's "Aida". 

Have a look at "I Capuleti" design

The set and costume designs for an upcoming staging of V.Bellini's "I Capuleti e i Montecchi" are transferred to Kaunas State Music Theatre in Lithuania. Based on these drawings both the set and costumes are made in the workshops of the theatre. Delve into the world of models and drawings here:

Premiere of "La belle Hélène" on Monday

On December 17th a Christmas production of Jacques Offenbach's "La belle Hélène" will premiere at the Universität der Künste Berlin. "La belle Hélène", otherwise known as "The Beautiful Helen" or "Die schöne Helena" is an opéra bouffe from 1864 that revolves around the ancient legend of Helen's elopement with prince Paris, which set off the Trojan War.  Take a sneak peak at the rehearsals here.

New production of "I Capuleti e i Montecchi"

Today the new production of Bellini's opera "I Capuleti e i Montecchi " will be publicly announced. Premieré of this bel canto masterpiece is scheduled to take place on  May 19th, 2019 at Endla Theatre, Pärnu. The stage director of the production is Katrin Tegova, musical director Erki Pehk, set and costume designer Madis Nurms and lighting designer Margus Vaigur.

"La belle Hélène" in Berlin

On December 17th a christmas production of "La belle Hélène" will have its premiere at the Universität der Künste Berlin.  "La belle Hélène", otherwise known as "The Beautiful Helen" or "Die schöne Helena", is an opéra bouffe in three acts by Jacques Offenbach. The piece revolves around the story of Helen's elopement with prince Paris, which set off the Trojan War.

Have a look here for the costume drawings and a sneak-peek video.

"La Traviata" premieré in Kaunas


The bittersweet story of  a glamorous courtesan Violetta Valéry has it's premieré tomorrow at the Kaunas State Musical Theatre with Anna Denisova from Mariinsky Theatre and Ilya Silchukov and Victor Mendelev from the Bolshoi State Opera of Belarus in the main roles.

Full video of "La Traviata"

The full performance of PromFest production of Giuseppe Verdi's "La Traviata" is now available on YouTube.  Winners of the Klaudia Taev Competition for opera singers lead the cast of this gloomy story.
When a glamorous call girl Violetta Valéry finds love in her admirer Alfredo Germont, it seems nothing can keep them apart. But the rules of society and family expectations betray them, and Violetta’s fate takes a tragic turn.

"Aida" returns

It's time to raise the curtain on Giuseppe Verdi's "Aida" for only three performances this year. Soloists of this production are of many nationalities (Lithuania, Ukraine, Belarus, Latvia and Estonia) so the performances are quite rare. There are only three shows of "Aida" in 2017. 

"In theory the idea of opera-thug Nurms directing the utterly lyrical „Aida“ seems like an act of aesthetic vandalism or even an iconoclasm. In practice the meeting of the romantic opera and a postmodernist director/designer turned out to be rather exciting, with all the virtues and disadvantages of the experiment itself."

Postimees - June 2nd 2015


"La Traviata" at Birgitta Festival


For a few August nights, the imposing ruins of the Pirita monastery are turned into a modern opera house where various genres of musical theatre are performed. This year a performance of "La Traviata" lights up the dim August nights.

"La traviata" at Pärnu Concert Hall


Today is the second performance of a new production of Verdi's "La traviata" at the Pärnu Concert Hall.
The design of the opera is based on the concept of downfall and decay. The subject of fading fairness becomes especially relevant in the story of a fallen woman who’s only valued for her external beauty. The sharp angles and brilliant surfaces of the set design are meant to form an urban background for the sinister costumes – and to bring to life the “crowded desert which is known to men as Paris.”

Premieré of "La traviata" today



"La traviata" by Giusepe Verdi will open today at Vanemuine Theatre, Tartu. 

The stage director of the production is Anu Lamp, musical director Erki Pehk, set and costume designer Madis Nurms, co-director/choreographer Ingmar Jõela, lighting designer Margus Vaigur and video designer Janek Karakatš. 

Pictures from the dress rehearsal

Making of "La traviata" 2


Here's another look into the workshops of Kaunas State Music Theatre. Video shows the sets and costumes getting ready for the first stage rehearsals of "La traviata". Premieré on May 5th 2017.

"La traviata" design goes to Kaunas


Today the set and costume designs for an upcoming staging of G.Verdi's "La traviata" are transferred to Kaunas State Music Theatre, Lithuania. Based on these drawings both the set and costumes are made in the workshops of the theatre.

The design of the opera is based on the concept of downfall and decay. The sharp angles and brilliant surfaces of the set design form an urban background for the sinister costumes. 

New production of "La traviata"


This week marks the beginning of rehearsals of "La traviata" - an opera by Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi. Premieré will take place on  May 5th, 2017 at Vanemuine Theatre, Tartu. The stage director of the production is Anu Lamp, musical director Erki Pehk, set and costume designer Madis Nurms, choreographer Ingmar Jõela and lighting designer Margus Vaigur.

Last "Aida" this year


Last performance of "Aida" in 2016 starts this Sunday, November 27 at 16:00.

This production of "Aida" has a happy ending – giving hope that a way out has to exist even from the most hopeless situation. And the opera is ended, fittingly, by the character who changes most during the events –  princess Amneris, saying to the audience, the cast but most of all to herself: “Peace!”. An appeal which gains a profound significance in the uncertain world that surrounds us today.

Watch the trailer - Aida in 2016

Opera "Aida" is on the stage of Vanemuine Theatre in Tartu for last three times this year.
First of the performances takes place on Thursday, October 6th.

Three performances of Aida



Opera "Aida" is again on the stage of Vanemuine Theatre in Tartu. Since the cast for this production consists of many nationalities - singers from Lithuania, Ukraine, Belarus, Latvia and Estonia - the performances are quite rare. There are only three performances of "Aida" in the spring 2016. First of the three already on this Thursday.

This "Aida" has a happy ending – giving hope that a way out has to exist even from the most hopeless situation. And the opera is ended, fittingly, by the character who changes most during the events –  princess Amneris, saying to the audience, the cast but most of all to herself: “Peace!”. An appeal which gains a profound significance in the uncertain world that surrounds us today.

"Aida" at Birgitta festival


Giuseppe Verdi's "Aida", directed and designed by Madis Nurms is performed tomorrow August 12th at Pirita convent, Tallinn during the 11th Birgitta Festival. 

Giuseppe Verdi took a principled stand on human rights. He never visited Egypt and in his correspondence he has stated that he could never admire the Ancient Egyptian civilization that had based its achievements on slavery and authoritarian power. In the libretto of “Aida” too, what fascinated him beyond the glitter of Egypt, was the impotence of man before the theocratic state. And thus PromFest’s “Aida” has no painted pyramids and bronzed slave boys, it is instead an attempt to explore the limits of the grand political spectacle, which casts nations into the whirlwind of war and changes the fates of hundreds at a whim.

Premieré of "Aida"


Today marks the premieré of G.Verdi's opera "Aida" at Theatre Vanemuine, Tartu

In the main roles are winners of Klaudia Taev Competition  Jomante Shlezhaite (Lithuania) and Angelina Shvachka (Ukraine).  Radames is sung by Eduard Martyniuk (Belarus).  The stage director of the piece is Madis Nurms, conductor Erki Pehk, choreographer Teet Kask lighting designer Margus Vaigur, movement director Jelena Karpova. 



Aida rehearsals begin

This week marks the beginning of stage rehearsals of Verdi’s „Aida“ at Theatre Vanemuine.

"Aida" is the next opera production of Pärnu International Opera Music Festival PromFest. It is staged as a cooperation project with Vanemuine Theatre.

The stage director of the piece is Madis Nurms who also designs the set and costumes of the piece, musical director and conductor Erki Pehk, choreographer Teet Kask, lighting designer Margus Vaigur and Movement director Jelena Karpova.

The premiere is on May 20th 2015.

See desingns for "Aida" HERE 





Designs for "Aida" transferred

Today the set and costume designs for an upcoming staging of G.Verdi's "Aida" were transferred to Theatre Vanemuine, Tartu. 

The premiere of "Aida" will be on May 20th 2015 and it will be a co-production between Pärnu Inernational Opera Music Festival PromFest and Tartu Theatre Vanemuine.


See more sketches for the opera HERE >>


"Tsar's Bride" premiere in Lithuania

Tsar's Bride by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov will have it's premiere tomorrow, November 16th, 2013 at the Kaunas State Musical Theatre, Lithuania.

Last "Tsar's Bride" in Estonia

The last chance to see the production of N.Rimsky-Korsakov's opera "Tsar's Bride" in Estonia is on Thursday, August 15th 2013.  The performance will take place at the Brigitta Festival in Tallinn. The staging is specially adapted to the venue - a medieval monastery on the coast of Pirita bay. 

"Tsar's Bride" rehearsals begin

Last week marked the beginning of stage-rehearsals for Rimsky-Korsakov's "Tsars Bride".

See some pictures from the preparaton process HERE


Tsar's Bride announced

The new production of Tsar's Bride, opera by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov was announced this Monday. The premiere is on June 6th 2013 at Endla Theatre, Pärnu.

"Attila" review in Teater.Muusika.Kino

Art critic Harry Liivrand calls "Attila"  "one of the most daring and textually motivated designs in the contemporary Estonian Opera Theatre". 

Last "Attila" today

The last chance to see the production of G.Verdi's "Attila" in Estonia arrives today, August 13th 2011.  The performance will also be broadcasted live via Classical Radio of Estonian Public Broadcasting.

"Attila" at the Birgitta Festival

 The production of G.Verdi's "Attila" will have its last performance in Estonia at the Birgitta festival in the medieval Pirita convent in Tallinn.

 

"Attila" premiere

June 2nd 2011 opera "Attila" by G.Verdi will have it's first performance in Pärnu during the International Opera Music Festival PromFest. Opera is directed by Üllar Saaremäe, musical director Erki Pehk, scenography by Madis Nurms, choreography Oleg Titov, lighting design by Margus Vaigur.

"Attila" set comes together

April 18, 20-21 Madis Nurms spent in the workshops of Kaunas State Music Theatre, Lithuania and Pärnu Theatre Endla, Estonia. The gallery of the process can be found HERE >>

The first modules of the set design were assembled in the workshops of Pärnu Theatre. Also an ad-clip for the opera was filmed on the stage of Pärnu Theatre. Here's an overview of the process by Estonian Public Broadcasting News: 

 

The usage of nakedness on the opera stage. Part II

Read the second part of the article by Madis Nurms about nakedness and its reception in opera productions. The article was published in the magazine Teater.Muusika.Kino and is in Estonian. The first part of the article was published in the December, second in the February issue.


Soloist costumes of "Attila" transferred

This week the costume drawings for the soloists of "Attila" were transferred to Endla theatre, Pärnu. “Attila” will have its premiere on June 4th 2011 during the Pärnu International Opera Music Festival PromFest.

The original production of Verdi’s rare masterpiece will be staged by acknowledged drama director and actor Üllar Saaremäe.

See the first sketches HERE>>


The usage of nakedness on the opera stage. Part I

Read the first part of the article by Madis Nurms about nakedness and its reception in opera productions. The article was published in the magazine Teater.Muusika.Kino and is in Estonian. The second part of the article will be published in the February issue.  Read the article HERE>>

First Costumes of "Attila"

From December 16-17 Madis Nurms was in Kaunas where the first costumes of "Attila" were prepared.

Masters thesis

Read the short overview of the masters thesis of Madis Nurms