Be'er Sheva Municipal Brass Band
🎺 🎷 The Be’er Sheva Municipal Wind Orchestra is one of the most distinguished wind orchestras in Israel, founded in the cultural heart of southern Israel — Be’er Sheva. The orchestra unites professional musicians, educators, and talented young performers, representing the city at both national and international events.
🎶 The ensemble is led by longtime conductor and artistic director Micha David, whose vision is to build bridges between cultures, peoples, and historical experiences through music. The orchestra’s repertoire is diverse, ranging from classical and contemporary symphonic wind music to arranged Hebrew, Yiddish, Sephardic, and Mizrahi melodies, jazz, and film scores.
🌍 The orchestra regularly performs in collaboration with choirs, soloists, and other international ensembles. An important part of the orchestra’s mission is to promote dialogue and tolerance through musical expression, as well as to showcase Israel’s rich musical heritage to the world.
The Be’er Sheva Municipal Wind Orchestra will perform at the closing concert of the Vilnius Shalom Festival on October 21 at the LVSO Concert Hall. Together with the Vilnius State Choir, they will present a program dedicated to the Lithuanian Jewish rescuers.
Leon Gurvitch - composer, pianist - Germany
Leon Gurvitch is an internationally acclaimed pianist, conductor, and composer currently living in Hamburg. He was born in Minsk, Belarus, graduated from the Belarusian State Academy of Music, and continued his studies at the Hamburg University of Music and Theatre.
🎶 In 2000, he founded the ensemble Leon Gurvitch Project, with which he has performed at prestigious European festivals such as Leverkusener Jazztage, jazzahead! in Bremen, KlezMore in Vienna, Dialogue of Four Cultures in Łódź, and others. His music blends elements of jazz, klezmer, Balkan, Slavic, Latin American, and Middle Eastern folk traditions.
🎼 He has composed more than 300 works. He has collaborated with jazz legend Vladimir Chekasin, trumpeter Frank London (of The Klezmatics), and director Peter Zadek. In 2010, he released the CD Eldorado with Frank London.
🎬 In 2001, he composed the music for the film Death Game, produced by Menahem Golan, an Oscar-winning producer.
🎓 From 2004 to 2017, he taught at the Johannes Brahms Conservatory in Hamburg. In 2011, he was the music director for the premiere of Philip Glass’s opera Les Enfants Terribles, and his compositions have been performed alongside soloists from the Hamburg State Opera.
🏆 Awards: Golden Chanukia (Berlin, 2006), nomination for the Hamburg Music Award (2015), Carnegie Hall debut (New York, 2017). He is also a resident artist at the David Oppenheim Music Center and the Stella Adler Acting Studio.
Composer’s website: www.leon-gurvitch.com
Leon Gurvitch will perform at the Vilnius Shalom Festival on October 1st at St. Catherine’s Church. During the concert, together with cellist Rokas Vaitkevičius, the composer and pianist will perform his own music, culminating with the Lithuanian premiere of Leon Gurvitch’s Anne Frank Suite.
Felix Livshitz - tenor (Israel)
Felix Livshitz was born on April 2, 1967 in Donetsk, Ukraine. In 1988 he graduated from the Donetsk Music College, and in 1989 he won the Grand Prix of the All-Ukrainian Competition of Young Performers. In 1993, after graduating from the Donetsk State Prokofiev Conservatory (under the Honored Artist of Ukraine Yuri Kosenko), he joined the troupe of the Donetsk Academic Opera and Ballet Theater. Over the course of three years, he performed leading roles in operas by Verdi, Rachmaninoff, Donizetti, and Rimsky-Korsakov, and toured Spain and Italy.
Since 1996 he has lived and worked in Israel, in the city of Rishon LeZion. He collaborates with the New Israeli Opera, where he has created more than 40 opera roles. He participated in master classes at the Israel Institute of Vocal Arts, and studied in New York with teachers from the Metropolitan Opera.
He has performed leading roles in prestigious European operas and festivals, worked with director Franco Zeffirelli, and regularly participates in opera productions by the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of conductor Zubin Mehta.
In 2005, he founded the duo "Three Tenors from the Holy Land", which has performed on stages around the world, including the United States, Canada, South America, Russia, Ukraine, China, and Europe.
In 2008, he was awarded the Rosenblum Prize for the role of Lensky in the opera "Eugene Onegin". In 2014, he made his debut as an opera director and producer in Rimsky-Korsakov's opera "Mozart and Salieri".
His repertoire includes more than 50 opera roles and 40 liturgical and oratorio works. He performs works in 12 languages and is considered one of the best performers of Yiddish songs.
As part of the Vilnius Shalom Festival program, Felix Livshitz will participate in a concert dedicated to the anniversary of the October 7th massacre, which will take place on October 8, at 6:00 PM at the Vilnius Gaon Museum of Jewish History. During the event, the tenor from Israel will perform together with soprano Giedre Kisieliūtė. Together, they will perform musical works in Hebrew, Yiddish, and English.
Lee R. Kesselman – composer, conductor, educator (USA)
Lee R. Kesselman is an American composer, conductor, and educator who has devoted more than 40 years to vocal and choral music. He worked for many years at the College of DuPage (Illinois), where he directed the choirs and founded the professional group "New Classic Singers". His work is dominated by choral, chamber, and operatic music, intended for both professional and community groups.
Kesselman has Litvak roots, which is reflected in his work, which clearly shows the line of Jewish spiritual and cultural heritage.
One of his most significant Jewish-themed works is Wagon of Shoes, written for tenor, choir, violin, and piano. The piece was composed in 2022 to mark the 300th anniversary of the birth of the Vilna Gaon and is based on poems by Abraham Sutzkever. It is a powerful and poignant work of Holocaust remembrance that has become an important symbol of cultural memory.
Kesselman has Litvak roots, which are reflected in his compositions—his works prominently feature the spiritual and cultural heritage of the Jewish people.
As an honored guest of the Vilnius Shalom Festival, Lee Kesselman will be present for a performance of Wagon of Shoes on September 23, Lithuanian Holocaust Memorial Day, at the Vilna Gaon Museum of Jewish History, where opera soloist Rafailas Karpis and the Vilnius State Choir will perform the work.
Yevgenii Musijets - Bayan (Ukraine)
Yevgenii Musijets (Євгеній Мусієць) is a fifth-generation bayan player. He began playing at the age of 4, studying with his grandfather, and gave his first stage performance at the age of 5. By 7, he had already held his first solo concert. He graduated from the Uzhhorod College of Music and earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Mukachevo State University. He is a laureate of numerous national and international competitions and festivals. He has recorded and released the albums "Revelation" and "Antonio Vivaldi – Four Seasons."
Since 2017, he has been performing in the "YeS Duet," appearing in many European countries and in Israel. Since 2024, he has been living in Lithuania with refugee status. He and his wife Alena are raising a daughter.
Yevgenii Musijets will perform a musical part in the Shofar Education program at the Vilnius Shalom Festival on October 2. The event will take place at the Vilnius District Adomas Mickevičius Public Library.
Vilnius State Choir
The State Choir "Vilnius" is one of the most prominent professional choirs in Lithuania, famous for its high quality of performance, stylistic diversity, educational activities and creative courage. The choir regularly presents premieres of works by Lithuanian composers, prepares thematic projects, and releases CDs. Artistic director and chief conductor is Artūras Dambrauskas.
The choir actively performs throughout Lithuania, annually organizing the International St. James Festival. In 2024, in collaboration with the Public Institution "Awakening Orchestra", the choir prepared a program of Jewish music, which was performed at the "Shalom Culture & Music Festival" concerts in Vilnius and Kaunas and at the concert "Music for Future Generations" dedicated to the International Holocaust Remembrance Day (January 27, 2025, LVSO hall).
More information about the choir: http://chorasvilnius.lt
The choir will perform twice in this year's Vilnius Shalom Festival program:
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On September 23, at the Vilnius Gaon Museum of Jewish History, he will perform a program dedicated to the commemoration of the Day of the Genocide of Lithuanian Jews, together with Rafail Karpis and violinist Dainius Peseckas.
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On October 21, the Vilnius Shalom Festival closing concert will be held at the LVSO Concert Hall, together with guests from Israel, the Be'er Sheva Municipality Wind Orchestra.
Vilnius City Municipality St. Christopher Chamber Orchestra
Vilnius City Municipality St. Christopher Chamber Orchestra is a professional and versatile ensemble led by Modestas Barkauskas (honorary conductor – Donatas Katkus). It performs in prestigious Lithuanian and foreign halls: Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris, Harpa in Reykjavik, Berwaldhallen in Stockholm.
Founded in 1994, the orchestra has expanded its repertoire from baroque to contemporary music, collaborates with famous composers and soloists, and actively participates in international festivals and social initiatives.
More information www.kristoforas.lt
Since 2021, the St. Christopher Orchestra has participated in the following projects of the Public Institution "Awakening Orchestra": "Symphony from Northern Jerusalem ", "Dance Symphony from Northern Jerusalem ", "Shalom Culture & Music Festival " .
As part of this year's Vilnius Shalom Festival, the orchestra, together with opera soloist Rafail Karpis and violin virtuoso Dalia Dėdinskaitė, will organize a concert dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Anatolijus Šenderovs, which will take place on October 16, at 7 p.m. at the Vilnius Choral Synagogue.
Rafailas Karpis - tenor
Rafailas Karpis began his musical career in the choir "Ąžuoliukas". In 2007, he graduated from the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts with a master's degree in singing under the guidance of Prof. Virgilijus Noreika. Laureate and award winner in Lithuania and abroad, in 2020 he received the "Golden Stage Cross", and on February 16, 2024 he was awarded the medal of the Order "For Merits to Lithuania". Since 2003, he has been a soloist of the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre, collaborating with major Lithuanian orchestras and stages.
Rafail's repertoire includes works by Jewish composers and Yiddish songs, which he performs with pianist Darius Mažintas. With him, he released the CD "A Letter from the Past" and prepared a program of songs composed in the Vilnius ghetto. In 2024, together with the State Choir "Vilnius", he presented a program of Jewish music.
During the Vilnius Shalom Festival, Rafailas Karpis will participate in two concerts:
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September 23rd – with the Vilnius State Choir in commemoration of the Day of the Genocide of Lithuanian Jews
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October 16 – with the St. Christopher Chamber Orchestra, he will perform a program dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Antaolijus Šenderovas at the Vilnius Choral Synagogue.
Dalia Dėdinskaitė - violin
Dalia Dėdinskaitė is one of the most prominent violinists in the Baltic States, born in Vilnius. She became famous after winning the prestigious competition “Violine in Dresden 2010”, after which she made her debut with L. van Beethoven’s concerto at the “Dresdner Festspiele” festival. She has performed in prestigious halls around the world: Vienna Musikverein, Hamburg Elbphilharmonie, New York Juilliard School, Paris Grand Salon des Invalides, Tel Aviv Museum of Art, etc.
She studied at the Vienna University of Music, receiving her bachelor's and master's degrees with honors. In 2016, she became the concertmaster of the Klaipėda Chamber Orchestra, from 2020 - the concertmaster of the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra, and from 2024 - the concertmaster of the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra.
She is actively performing as a soloist and chamber music performer, has appeared at many international festivals, participated in contemporary music premieres, recorded albums, and initiated the projects "Window to Lithuania" and "Aerogram", which have been presented in Europe and the USA.
More information: www.dalia-dedinskaite.com
During the Vilnius Shalom Festival, Dalia Dėdinskaitė, together with the Vilnius City Municipality St. Christopher Chamber Orchestra and Rafail Karpis, will perform a program dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Antaolijus Šenderovas at the Vilnius Choral Synagogue on October 16.
Giedrė Kisieliūtė - soprano
Giedrė Kisieliūtė is a lyric soprano and a young-generation opera singer. She studied at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre and furthered her training at the Luigi Cherubini Conservatory in Florence, Italy.
In 2023, she completed her master’s degree in opera performance at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre. She continuously improves her skills through masterclasses and works with well-known professionals. She performs as a soloist, participates in opera productions, and performs chamber and vocal music at various festivals.
As part of the Vilnius Shalom Festival program, Giedrė Kisieliūtė will participate in a concert dedicated to the anniversary of the October 7th massacre, which will take place on October 8, at 6:00 PM at the Vilnius Gaon Jewish History Museum. During the event, the artist will perform together with Israeli tenor Felix Livshitz. Together, they will perform musical works in Hebrew, Yiddish, and English.
Joris Rubinovas - bass
Joris Rubinovas is a young generation opera soloist, bass. He studied music at the Juozas Naujalis Music Gymnasium, sang in the boys' choir "Varpelis". In 2015. he graduated from the Juozas Gruodis Conservatory (B. Sodaitytė's class), and continued his studies in Hamburg (Germany), Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hamburg, completing his singing studies in 2022. With professors C. James and M. Tucker, he acquired a wide repertoire of roles - since 2021. he has created 15 roles in performances at the Kaunas State Musical Theatre and the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre.
✡️ His Jewish identity is important to Joris, so he is happy to participate in Jewish music projects and present an exclusive program prepared together with pianist and flutist Paulius Berūkščis during the Vilnius Shalom Festival.
As part of the Vilnius Shalom Festival program, Joris Rubinovas will participate in a concert dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Jewish Research Institute YIVO, which will take place on September 29, at 6:00 PM at the Vilnius Jewish Public Library.
Rokas Vaitkevičius - cello
Rokas Vaitkevičius is a talented cellist, currently playing the principal cello at the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre 🎭. Rokas is also an active chamber music performer and is a member of the prestigious ensembles “Mettis Quartet” and “Cello Club”. These groups are known for their innovation and creativity, and Rokas enriches their repertoire with his mastery and sensitive interpretations.
🌍 Rokas performs at various festivals and projects in Lithuania and abroad, actively contributing to the dissemination and development of cello music. His performance style is emotional, subtle, and technologically masterful.
As part of the Vilnius Shalom Festival, Rokas Vaitkevičius, together with composer and pianist Leon Gurvitch, will perform the Lithuanian premiere of "Anne Frank Suite". The concert will take place on October 1, at 7:00 PM, at St. Catherine's Church.
21st Century Quintet
🎷21st Century Quintet brings together young jazz musicians from Lithuania and Latvia. Formed in 2019, the ensemble has performed at Vilnius Jazz, Vilnius Mama Jazz, and jazz stages in Elektrėnai and Klaipėda Castle, earning recognition at the Jazz Scene competition.
The quintet stands out for its unique and emotional sound, with compositions by its leader — saxophonist Davit Avetisyan — infused with Armenian folk music motifs, opening a window into an exotic cultural world. 21st Century Quintet has released the album “On Ararat” (2024) and the singles “Erzrumi Shoror” (2025) and “Footprints” (2025).
During the Vilnius Shalom Festival, the 21st Century Quintet, together with the violinist and flutist Rugila Daujotaite, will present a special program “Jazz against Antisemitism.” This exclusive event will take place on October 19, at 5 p.m. at the Vilnius Gaon Museum of Jewish History.
Rugilė Daujotaitė - vocals, flute
Rugilė Daujotaitė is a jazz vocalist, flutist and multi-instrumentalist, distinguished by her improvisational talent and unique musical style. She studied at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague and received her master's degree from the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, where her final concert was awarded the highest score of 10 - an exceptional rating in the Dutch music academic system.
Rugilė not only sings - she plays the flute, guitar, kankle, uses a loop station and creates a multi-layered live musical texture in real time. Her work organically blends jazz, Lithuanian folklore, Brazilian rhythms and contemporary improvisational music.
During the Vilnius Shalom Festival, Rugilė Daujotaitė, together with the 21st Century Quintet, will present a special program “Jazz against Antisemitism.” This exclusive event will take place on October 19, at 5 p.m. at the Vilnius Gaon Museum of Jewish History.
Tadas Daujotas - lecturer, shofars
Tadas Daujotas is an event organizer, producer, music publisher, shofar performer, screenwriter, author of music and lyrics, and initiator of various cultural projects. He has been playing the shofar since 2009, when he developed a desire to popularize this ancient instrument and integrate its sounds into contemporary music.
In 2021, composer Jievaras Jasinskis created "Symphony from Northern Jerusalem" based on Tado's script, and in 2023, in collaboration with the State Song and Dance Ensemble "Lietuva", this project took on a new form and became a dance and music performance.
Tadas, together with his wife Elina, heads the public institution "Prabudimo orkestras" and actively fosters the traditions of Jewish culture and music through meaningful projects. In 2024, the Daujotais initiated the creation of the Jewish music and culture festival "Shalom Culture & Music Festival", and this year this cultural project transformed into the "Vilnius Shalom Festival".
This year, Tadas Daujotas will blow shofars during many Vilnius Shalom Festival events, and on October 2, in commemoration of the Hebrew holiday Yom Kippur, he will conduct Shofar Education at the Vilnius District Adomas Mickevičius Public Library and allow all interested parties to get to know this ancient Hebrew ritual instrument in greater depth.