ESTONIAN SYMPHONIC MUSIC. THE FIRST CENTURY 1896-1996.
ballet Kalevipoeg (1947, librettist Andres Särev, stage director Helmi Tohvelmann,
conductor Kirill Raudsepp).3
The opera written to mark the 600th anniversary of the Estonian St. George’s
Night uprising, vigorously demonstrates the nation’s desire for freedom. The uprising
had no positive outcome, but the music is captivating with its warmth, melodious tone
and sincerity. The Moscow musicologist Dr. Nazary Raisky commented after the
performance:
1
Harri Kiisk, Teataja [Stockholm] 16 Nov 1996.
2
First performance 21 July 1945. Since the Estonia building still stood in ruins, the venue was the Gloria
Palace Cinema.
3
First performance in the Gloria Palace Cinema, 27 Mar. 1948.
Summing up, this is a thrilling and fascinating work, having all the pre-requistites for winning a
secure place not only in Estonian theatre repertoire but in all the best opera theatres in the
Soviet Union.1
annaabi.ee 
