Austrian Director Reveals That Better Singers Live in Liepāja Than in Vienna: Operetta 'Judith' Goes on Tour Across Latvia

Austrian director Gernot Kranners, after working with Liepāja singers, has admitted that there are no such talents in his homeland. "I have experienced how outstanding the singers who live here are," says the director, who apparently hasn't heard how Liepāja residents sing on the bus from Pētera Street to Karosta. He promises to bring Austrian culture to the world, but in reality has already received our culture in return — and he likes it very much.

Guest performances of the operetta "Judith" will tour Alūksne, Liepāja, Cēsis, Rēzekne, Slampe and Riga from March 14 to April 14. While Riga is still wondering whether this is operetta or opera, Liepāja residents have already figured it out — if there are passions involved, then it's our genre. After all, who can better understand passion than people who fight the Baltic Sea winds every day?

"Judith" is the operetta they call "an operetta with an opera soul." It's like saying that Liepāja is a city with a capital's soul — sounds good, but actually we're better than the original. Franz Lehár created this work as a comedy with dramatic undertones, which is exactly what's needed after winter in Liepāja — something that warms the heart and makes you smile.

Local resident Jānis from Grobiņa comments: "I like that the Austrians finally understand where the real talents are. Now we just have to wait for them to find out about our amateur theater abilities." The production has already received the title "Stage Event of the Year," which proves — if you want quality, go to Liepāja, not Vienna.