13th International Critics’ Conference
MUSICAL THEATRE IN THE SIGHTS OF CRITICISM:
A REFLECTION IN AN UPSIDE DOWN REALITY?
For the thirteenth time, the International Critics' Conference organized by the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre will focus on discussing the current state of criticism and critics today. The theme of the conference, "Musical Theatre in the Sights of Criticism: A Reflection in an Upside Down Reality?", invites reflection on the mutual expectations among creators, theatres, critics, and cultural publications, as well as discussion on the challenges and opportunities faced by authors writing criticism and the outlets publishing it.
12:00–12:10 Opening Remarks
12:10–12:30 Žibuoklė Martinaitytė
What Do Artists Expect from Criticism?
Insights from the composer of the opera Upside Down – a prominent contemporary composer—on criticism, viewed from both a Lithuanian perspective and that of New York, where she lives.
12:30–13:00 Krzysztof Stefański (Poland)
New Opera, New Language? How Contemporary Works Are Changing the Face of Opera Criticism
Insights from the Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Poland's most important and oldest music journal, Ruch muzyczny.
13:00–13:30 Rima Žilinskaitė
The Challenge Posed by Amateurs to the Professional Eye, Enabled by Digitization
A presentation on the impact of social media on journalism by a sociologist, PhD in Social Sciences from the Faculty of Philosophy at Vilnius University, and LRT Radio journalist.
13:30–14:00 Sigita Ivaškaitė, Skaidrė Baranskaja, Helmutas Šabasevičius
Is Dance Criticism in Lithuania Capable of Reflecting the Diversity of Creative Output?
A conversation among three active critics observing the Lithuanian ballet and dance scene.
14:00–14:30 Coffee Break
14:30–16:00 Editors' Panel Discussion
Musical Theatre in the Scope of Criticism: Status Quo vs. Expectations
Participants: John Allison (Opera, UK), Krzysztof Stefański (Ruch muzyczny, Poland), Laimutė Ligeikaitė (7 meno dienos), Rima Jūraitė (Menų faktūra), Dovydas Kiauleikis (Literatūra ir menas)
Conference Moderator: Beata Baublinskienė, music critic (Lithuania)
The conference will be held in Lithuanian and English.
The conference, taking place on 25 September, will begin with a presentation titled "What Do Artists Expect from Criticism?" by composer Žibuoklė Martinaitytė, author of the opera Upside Down. The renowned creator, recipient of the National Prize for Culture and Arts, whose first opera premiere is being presented by the LNOBT, has the opportunity to view the Lithuanian critical landscape in a broader context: living in New York, she can compare it with the intellectual reality of this megacity. Naturally, the artist’s perspective will be subjective, but all the more compelling when brought face-to-face with opera criticism professionals.
A critic's perspective on new opera as a phenomenon will be offered by Krzysztof Stefański, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Poland's most important and oldest music journal Ruch muzyczny, in his presentation "New Opera, New Language? How Contemporary Works are Changing The Face Of Opera Criticism". K. Stefański will draw on examples of Poland's recent operatic output, which, among other things, will provide an international context for those interested in the premiere of Ž. Martinaitytė's work.
Opera – and more broadly, musical theatre – criticism exists in an intermediate space between art and the media, meaning that media trends inevitably impact criticism as well. Sociologist, researcher at Vilnius University's Faculty of Philosophy, and LRT journalist Rima Žilinskaitė will help shed light on these processes with her talk, "The Challenge Posed by Amateurs to the Professional Eye, Enabled by Digitization," where she will draw on her scientific research to address the sensitive issue of social media's impact on journalism.
The conference will also reflect the field of dance criticism. The event's program includes a discussion featuring three of Lithuania's most active ballet and dance critics Helmutas Šabasevičius, Sigita Ivaškaitė, and Skaidrė Baranskaja, titled "Is Dance Criticism in Lithuania Capable of Reflecting the Diversity of Creative Output?".
The conference will conclude with an editors' panel discussion, "Musical Theatre in the Scope of Criticism: Status Quo and Expectations," bringing together editors and critics from cultural publications in Lithuania, the United Kingdom, and Poland around one table. Participants will include John Allison (UK), Editor-in-Chief of Opera with Opera News; K. Stefański (Poland), Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Ruch muzyczny; Laimutė Ligeikaitė, Music Section Editor of the weekly 7 meno dienos; Rima Jūraitė, Editor and Director of the portal Menų faktūra; and Dovydas Kiauleikis, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the magazine Literatūra ir menas. The discussion will be moderated by music critic Beata Baublinskienė, curator of the conference program.
In parallel with the conference, a review-writing competition for aspiring critics will be announced. Those interested in participating are invited to register at edukacija@opera.lt by 24 September. Registered participants will receive information regarding creative workshops. Competition submissions will be published on the Lithuanian Composers' Union portal Lietuvos muzikos antena. The winners will be selected by an expert panel.
Event sponsors:
Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Vilnius
AC Hotel Vilnius
