Jurgis Karnavichius
Jurgis Karnavičius (23 April 1884 – 22 December 1941) was a prominent Lithuanian composer known for his contributions to the development of Lithuanian operatic works. Born in Kaunas, Lithuania, then part of the Russian Empire, Karnavičius initially pursued a legal education in St. Petersburg, Russia. However, his passion for music prevailed, leading him to study music theory and composition alongside his legal studies. The viola was his primary instrument, and he eventually became a professor at the Conservatory of Music in Leningrad.
In 1927, Karnavičius returned to Lithuania, which had recently regained its independence. He taught at the Conservatory of Music in Kaunas and played viola with the State Opera orchestra. Inspired by national pride, he composed his first opera, "Gražina," which premiered on February 16, 1933, and is celebrated as the first Lithuanian national opera. This opera incorporated over forty Lithuanian folk melodies and was a significant success. He followed this with another opera, "Radvila Perkūnas," in 1937, based on the Lithuanian nobleman Krzysztof Mikołaj Radziwiłł.
Karnavičius's work was influenced by late romanticism, Russian classical traditions, Lithuanian folklore, and early 20th-century modernism. His legacy includes a variety of compositions across different genres, including orchestral, chamber music, and vocal works. His son, also named Jurgis Karnavičius, was a noted pianist and rector of the Lithuanian Academy of Music, continuing the family's musical tradition.
