Saulé Lithuanian Folk Ensemble Song and Dance Performance

Description

Siauliai University Folk Ensemble SAULE (SIAULIAI UNIVERSITY, LITHUANIA) Member of IOV, FIDAF Artistic Director of the Ensemble: Darius Daknys Director of the choreographic group: Adele Gruziene Director of the vocal group: Eugenijus Andrulis Manager: Zenonas Ripinskis Siauliai University Folk Ensemble Saule is performing since 1972. The group is well known both in Lithuania and abroad. At present, more than 40 Siauliai city students, lecturers, school teachers and veterans of the ensemble take part in it. The group takes part at various national and international folklore and folk music festivals, contests where they have received laureate awards and diplomas for several times. During its existence, Saule has given successful performances in Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, the United Kingdom, Croatia, Cuba, the Netherlands, Latvia, Poland, Malta, Hungary, Russia, Sweden, Germany, France, Norway, Czech Republic, China, Slovenia, the USA, Brazil, Italy, Colombia. ?Saule? has recorded and released 10 CD albums. ?Saule? was awarded the nomination for the best Lithuanian folk music band of the year 1999 for excellent creative achievements and received the ?Aukso paukste? (The Golden Bird Prize). The repertoire by Saule encompasses arrangements of traditional music and songs, original pieces by Lithuanian composers created on the base of traditions of Lithuanian folklore as well as stage dances and traditional Lithuanian folklore. Until the 19th century, Lithuanians mostly used to dance in concordance with singing. In the 19th century, dances of European origin began spreading throughout Lithuania, instrumental ensembles which used to perform at parties, weddings began being formed. At present, musicians of Saule play various music instruments: violins, accordions, reed-pipes, contrabass, drums, pan flutes, a type of recorder. The repertoire of instrumental music encompasses polkas, waltzes, marches. The beginning of contemporary Lithuanian folk dance is considered to be the middle of the 19th century. Since the 20th century, it was started adapting them to the stage, creating them on the base of traditions of folk dances. The repertoire of Saule encompasses traditional and stylised pair dances: quadrilles, polkas, roundelays. The dancers perform several dances when wearing wooden clogs ? these were the shoes worn by inhabitants of Samogitia region. In ancient times, Lithuanians mostly used to sing a cappella ? without any instrumental accompaniment. In present time, majority of folk songs are arranged, accompaniment is applied to them. The repertoire of Folk Ensemble ?Saule? consists mostly of wedding, youth and love songs as well as folk romances. For more information please visit homestakeoperahouse.org or call 605-584-2067. About the HHOH: Free parking is available in front of the building on Main Street, behind the building and in the municipal parking lots, including the Visitor Center two blocks from the theater. The building is accessible for wheelchairs, and assisted listening devices are available. The HHOH theater is a non-profit organization dedicated to returning the building to productive use for the enrichment of the community and to provide educational and cultural opportunities for generations to come Support is provided in part by the Adams Mastrovich Family Foundation, Mary Adams Balmat; and the City of Lead.