Opera “Sun & Sea”

The internationally acclaimed Lithuanian contemporary opera Sun & Sea (“Saulė ir jūra”) challenges the conventions of classical opera, expanding the genre through a luminous fusion of performance, visual art and music. The work achieved global recognition in 2019, when it was presented at the Lithuanian Pavilion at the Venice Biennale and received the prestigious Golden Lion.

Set on an artificial indoor beach, the opera unfolds through seemingly ordinary scenes of leisure, as soloists address themes of the climate crisis, consumer habits and contemporary society. The libretto weaves humor and irony with sharp social insight, creating a striking contrast between the visual levity of the setting and the gravity of global existential concerns. Each musical piece serves as an allegory of humanity’s relationship with nature, the environment and one another, inviting audiences to reflect on their place in the world’s delicate ecosystem.

Organised by Liepāja 2027
Photo by Evgenia Levin