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ROBERTS BALANAS with string ensemble

December 16, 7:30 PM, Splendid Palace, Riga

World-renowned violinist Roberts Balanas returns to Latvia with an all-new concert programme, set to take place at one of Riga’s most beautiful cultural landmarks - Splendid Palace.

This will be the first opportunity to hear the programme with which the artist will embark on tour next year, performing in some of the world’s most iconic concert halls, including Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Palau de la Música Catalana in Barcelona, Kühlhaus Berlin, and more.

The evening will feature original arrangements by Roberts for violin and string ensemble, blending classical and popular music into a new, emotionally charged sound world. In this concert Roberts will be sharing the stage with string players from leading orchestras and chamber groups in Latvia and UK. 

The programme will also include a special arrangement of Queen’s legendary hit Bohemian Rhapsody, released by Balanas to mark the song’s 50th anniversary. The recording, made in collaboration with students of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, has received wide acclaim and international attention.

“This programme includes several of my own arrangements for violin and string ensemble - an instrumentation that allows me to explore incredibly rich sound worlds. And to perform it for the first time at home during the Christmas season… that will be amazing!” says Roberts Balanas.

Roberts Balanas is known for breaking down the boundaries between classical and contemporary music, creating a sound that is energetic, emotional, and genre-defying. His virtuosic solo violin arrangements have earned millions of views online, making him one of Latvia’s most internationally recognised musicians. His violin playing has been praised by Sir Elton John, Jacob Collier, as well as members of Pink Floyd and Vulfpeck.