National premiere
Rock opera by Vladimir BOGATOFF
Turaida Rose
A Symbol of Fidelity in Love
Arena Riga
November 1, 2024

On November 1, the national premiere of the rock opera by Vladimir BOGATOFF “Turaida Rose” took place at Arēnā Rīga.

Since the cast of artists was international, it was only possible to gather everyone together in Arēnā Rīga on October 30 at about 18:00, so there were only 2 days for full rehearsals, but despite this, the premiere, according to the reaction and feedback of the audience, was impressive! Yes, for the tours, it will be necessary to devote much more time to directing, change some scores in terms of tonality and saturation of musical instruments, devote more time to rehearsals with the orchestra/choir/backing vocals, but this is after signing the contracts for the tour. In fact, such projects are rehearsed for at least 2-3 months not only with the full cast of performers, but also with the backup cast.

The legend of medieval Sigulda and 21st century show technology in the grandiose performance by Vladimir BOGATOFF new rock opera !

The plot of the rock opera Turaida Rose is based on a beautiful legend from the 17th century.

This story was born in the lands where the Livs lived

In picturesque places filled with poetry, music and elves

In the Middle Ages, when honor and dignity meant a lot

And legends were born for many centuries...

In the spring of 1601, Swedish troops captured Turaida Castle. After the battle, the local scribe Greif found a little girl who had survived among the dead. He pledged to raise the orphan and named her Maya.

Years passed, Maya became such a beautiful and sweet girl that the people nicknamed her the Turaida Rose. Her fiancé, the gardener Victor Heil, lived in Sigulda Castle. In the evenings, they met in Gutman's Cave. But Maya was inflamed with passion by the Polish deserter of "blue blood" Adam Jakubowsky, one of the legionnaires of Turaida Castle. He, allegedly on behalf of Victor, wrote a letter inviting Maya to come to a meeting in Gutman's Cave an hour before the planned meeting with Victor.

Arriving at the meeting place, Maya realized that she had been deceived. And she chose death in the name of love. She had with her a magic red scarf given to her by Victor. Maya told Jakubowsky that the scarf protected from sword blows and ordered him to test the scarf's magical power. Jakubowsky raised the sword, and after the blow, mortally wounded Maya fell to the ground. Realizing what he had done and fearing reprisal, Jakubowsky plunged the dagger into his heart. Coming to the caves to meet, Victor saw the dying Maya, who asked not to blame anyone and to take her to the Stone of Eternal Love to convey to it forever her feelings for Victor, saying that "Love is stronger than death!" Then Maya's body dissolved in the Stone, turning into a red rose, and her soul ascended into the sky as a white dove. The inconsolable Victor settled in a nearby small cave, where he grew old. People passing by in the evenings saw his bent silhouette near the Stone, and loving couples found a large Red Rose on the stone every Friday.

On August 30, Amber Way company presented 6 songs from the rock opera on the territory of the Turaida Castle Museum, performed by 4 soloists and a reduced orchestra of 10 musicians under the direction of conductor Guntars Bernats.

Despite the hot weather, the premiere was a success! After the performance, the participants of the event laid flowers at the monument to Maya – this year in August it was 404 years since the day when, according to legend, she sacrificed her life to preserve her innocence and fidelity to her fiancé Viktor.