Download SUMMARIES JUNE 2008 Opening Column TEET KASK. Toward

SUMMARIES JUNE 2008
Opening Column
TEET KASK. Toward Ritual without Words
International Competition of Nonverbal Theatre, c.o.n.t.est’08, took place in March at
Endla theatre in Pärnu. It raised questions about the essence of nonverbal theatre and
examined the place of dance in today’s theatre. The opening column constitutes a
manifest-style reflection on the same topic by the festival’s organiser, emphasising
the need to promote live rituals also in contemporary society.
Replies
AIN PROSA
Longer interview with Ain Prosa, television and theatre director. He was born in
1967 in Räpina; in 1996 graduated from the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre
as theatre director. Prosa then worked at the Estonian Television, directing plays in
1990 – 2000, he was also the chief director, and later directed at the Estonian Drama
Theatre and other theatres as well. Since 2000 he teaches film and theatre at the
Drama School at the Academy. From 2004 until the present day he directs the hugely
popular television series Õnne 13, the longest-lasting Estonian series ever. The
interview also tackles his current undertaking, the historical series Windswept Land,
and the making of other series, such as Õnne 13 and A Dangerous Flight (2006 – 2007).
Prosa also talks about other television programmes and his work in theatre. We learn
about his childhood and studies; in addition to the Drama School he read Estonian
language and literature at the University of Tartu for one year.
Persona grata
Mihhail Gerts
An insight into the world of the young conductor Mihhail Gerts. He comes from a
family of musicians — mother Zoja Hertz is a concertmaster and her husband is Jassi
Zahharov — and arrived at conducting at a very early age. Last year he already
started work at the National Opera Estonia. Interview by Kai Tamm.
THEATRE
OTT KARULIN. Story is the Soul of the Text
On the basis of four recent premieres in Estonian theatres (At the End of the Day and
Look Back in Anger at Rakvere theatre, and Sigma Tau-C705 and Good Night, Brother at
Estonian Drama Theatre) the author examines the importance of the story in drama
and its alteration in the process of staging it.
KITI PÕLD. Low and Pointless Theatre
The author takes a look at the genre of musicals and the reasons why this form of
theatre, having emerged as a counterbalance to operetta and demanding strong
dramaturgy and high level of acting, is now occasionally seen as a synonym for
entertainment in bad taste.
KITI PÕLD. Arrival of American Musical on Estonian Stage
A glance back into 1963, when Voldemar Panso staged My Fair Lady, which started
the tradition of musicals in Estonian theatre.
TOOMAS KUTER. Production Meant for Viewers
In April, the audiences could once again enjoy Frederick Loewe and Alan Jay
Lerner’s musical My Fair Lady. Ago-Endrik Kerge directed the production at Estonia
theatre. The author compares both sets of actors.
LEA TORMIS. In Harmony with the Uncompromising Shaw
The author compares this year’s Ago-Endrik Kerge’s production of My Fair Lady with
the production of Voldemar Panso forty-five years ago. She also examines how the
meaning of the musical genre and its context have changed over this period of time.
DANCE
NELE SUISALU. Young and National Contemporary Dance at an International
Competition c.o.n.t.est 08
The International Competition of Nonverbal Theatre took place on 29―30 March 2008
in the Barn of the Pärnu theatre Endla. The jury: Wim Vandekeybus (Belgium),
Maksim Komaro (Finland), Katja Werner (Germany) and Tiit Tuumalu (Estonia).
Competing: Mihkel Ernits’s No Title (Estonia), Mariela Nestora's Faux pas (Greece),
Sonja Oien Salkowitsch’s Cold (Norway/Germany), Kristine Kyhl Andersen’ MEGO
– Solo No 3 with assistant, Etcha Dvornik’s Alps Alps! (Slovenia/France), Cristina
Planas Leitão’s Flayed (Portugal/Holland), Asako Shirai’s The Last Human Being
(Japan), Anna Melnikova’s Treble (Russia/Germany) and Ferenc Fehéri’s Sirzamanze
(Hungary).
MUSIC
MERIKE VAITMAA. The Tale of Mother Adriana. Adriana Mater, Kaija
Saariaho’s Second Opera
Kaija Saariaho’s opera Adriana Mater to the libretto of Maalouf. Conductor: Ernest
Martínez Izquierdo, director: Peter Sellars, scenography: George Tsypin, costumes:
Martin Pakledinaz, lightning: James F Ingalls. The reviewer saw the performance on
4 March at the Finnish National Opera. The music and performance of Adriana Mater
in Helsinki made Vaitmaa wish to listen to its recording. Most reviewer at the
world’s biggest papers have claimed that the opera has wonderful music but too
static, thus not too suitable for the stage. Could they be right?
ANNELI REMME. This Orchestra in Tallinn
A homage to the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra who performed at the Estonia
Concert Hall in early May. The orchestra was conducted by sir Simon Rattle. The
spectacular performance was certainly the highlight of the concert life in this country.
TIINA ÕUN. Newspaper Clips on the Previous Visits of the Berliner
Philharmoniker to Estonia.
A choice of articles about the orchestra in Estonia in 1899 and 1937, from the Estonian
and German press. Selected and translated by the music editor Tiina Õun.
TIIU LEVALD. Through Winter’s Tale to the Miraculous Land of Music.
The article examines the cooperation between the Russian baritone Dmitri
Hvorostovski and the Estonian pianist Ivari Ilja, which has lased for twenty-odd
years. Ilja was Hvorostovski’s ensemble partner already at the competition BBC
Cardiff Singer of the World 1989. Ivari Ilja has received awards at the Chopin
competition in Warsaw and Vianna da Motta competition in Lisbon. In 2000 he got
the culture award of the Republic of Estonia and has been much in demand as pianist
to Irina Arhipova, now also to Dmitri Hvorostovski, Maria Guleghina, Pauletta de
Vaughn and Jelena Zaremba.
EVI ARUJÄRV. Days of Estonian Music 2008
Opinions about the festival of Estonian music that takes place every spring. This time
it offered fresh ideas about uniting music and video art, a lot of music by the
youngest authors and a remarkable evening of Jüri Reinvere’s work in St Nicholas
church.
Bravo, Maestro Erich Loit!
The Estonian viola player and conductor Erich Loit turned eighty on 20 May. Many
Estonian string instrument players fondly remember the time when they played
under Erich Loit’s supervision in the Young Violinists’ Ensemble. It was founded in
1964, won many friends and was highly regarded in the former Soviet Union and
abroad as well. Interview with the contrabass player and administrator of the Young
Violinists’ ensemble was conducted by the music editor Tiina Õun.
CINEMA
RINGO RINGVEE. Gene-mutated Life, Dolls and Pearls
Review of Rao Heidmets’s (1956) puppet film The Pearlman (studio Nukufilm, 2006),
depicting the futile fight of a wise shaman to save his ancient culture. According to
Ringvee, theologian, poet and chief religious adviser at the Ministry of Internal
Affairs, the film primarily offers visual pleasure on screen, but also points out more
serious issues.
INDREK ROHTMETS. Tales of Time and Life
Another review of Rao Heidmets’s latest film Life Stories (Rao Heidmets Film Studio,
2007), which could be called an animated documentary where stories of Estonian
people’s destinies are illustrated with film shoots with cut-outs. The co-writer of the
script is by Mats Traat, who had previously published a collection of stories
Biographies of Harala. The reviewer, a biologist, concludes that the stories gathered in
the film tell about us and support our simple conviction that we are here to stay.
MART SANDER. Horrible Weekend in Haapsalu
Overview of the third horror and fantasy film festival in Haapsalu earlier in the year.
Considering the programme fascinating, the reviewer admits that there was not
enough audience, and suggests several proposals how to make next year’s festival
more attractive.
ENN SÄDE. The First Estonian Sound Movie?
A longer article about the feature film by the Estonian cinema classic Theodor Luts
(1896 – 1980) titled Children of the Sun (1932). The article focuses on the making of the
film but mostly on the sound – this was, after all, the first Estonian ‘talking picture’.
Säde, a sound recordist and documentary film maker, regards this considerably
weaker than Luts’s earlier, silent film The Young Eagles (1927).
JAAK LÕHMUS. The Making of Children of the Sun
Another article about the making of Theodor Luts’s feature Children of the Sun.