The world premiere of Latvian composer Kristaps Pētersons’s opera-lecture Mikhail and Mikhail Play Chess will take place in the New Hall of the Latvian National Opera on March 12, 2014. The performance is included in the programme of Riga 2014 – European capital of culture.

Creative team of the project consists of librettist Sergey Timofeev, conductors Ainārs Rubiķis and Atvars Lakstīgala, Stage Director Viesturs Meikšāns, Set Designer Reinis Suhanovs, Costume Designers MAREUNROL’S, Video Designer Carlos Franklin, and Choreographer Kiril Burlov.

Cast of the production includes opera soloists Dana Bramane, Ieva Parša, Baiba Berķe, Gunta Davidčuka, Armands Siliņš, Andris Lapiņš, Juris Ādamsons, and Kalvis Kalniņš, chamber ensemble, and dancers.

The unusual phenomenon behind the popularity of chess during the Cold War is at the centre of this opera, brought to audiences by young composer Kristaps Pētersons. The so-called Wizard of Riga – the multi-award winner and Grandmaster of chess, Mikhail Tal – plays a significant role in the opera. The opera’s musical dramaturgy is precisely based on the 1960 Moscow World Championship match, in which Tal won against the seemingly unbeatable Soviet Union chess master Mikhail Botvinnik. This legendary match will be replayed in a multimedia-lecture format, emphasizing both the ideological meaning of chess in the Soviet Union, and Tal’s intuition and improvisation-based tactics, which helped him defeat the rational and academic Botvinnik.

Further performances on March 13, 21, May 23, June 7, 10.

Supported by: