Conductor Jānis Liepiņš on Song Festival participation and Maestro's green light

Conductor Jānis Liepiņš returns to Latvia for the Song Festival

Jānis Liepiņš, currently the principal conductor at the Mannheim National Theatre, has not celebrated Līgo and Jāņi in Latvia for seven years. However, in early July he will arrive to conduct for the first time at the Mežaparks Great Stage in the choir music concert "Manai dzimtenei", featuring songs by Raimonds Pauls.

Liepiņš reveals that he consulted with the Maestro himself, who gave the green light. The conductor will lead three songs: "Sanāciet, sadziediet, sasadancojiet", "Pazaudētās debesis", and "Atziedi, dvēsele". The latter two were originally performed by his mother Mirdza Zīvere, and Liepiņš notes that the choice was made by the concert organizers, though he is pleased with it.

Connection with Raimonds Pauls

Liepiņš speaks of a close bond with the Maestro: his parents (composer Zigmars Liepiņš and singer Mirdza Zīvere) worked with Pauls for many years and were once neighbors. Jānis himself grew up in the same building as Raimonds Pauls. "One cannot deny that this has had a great influence on our whole family," says the conductor.

Current work in Germany

Currently, the season in Germany is still ongoing, ending in late July. Liepiņš is busy with the premiere of a new production of "The Magic Flute" around Jāņi, as well as the traditional "Schloss in Flammen" concert near Mannheim Castle, featuring opera arias and fireworks. The conductor emphasizes that in such large concerts, one should not seek new interpretations – people should be allowed to sing as they feel.