Kaspars Ādamsons
1985
Conductor
Born in Rīga on 21 February 1985. First studied music at the Emīls Dārziņš Special Music Secondary School and Rīga Dome Choir School, then at the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music Department of Choir Conducting.
Supplemented his knowledge with Erik van Nevel, Professor of Early Music at the Leuven Music College in Belgium. In 2011, graduated from the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, earning a Master’s degree in orchestra conducting, but in summer 2012 completed his studies at Stockholm’s Royal College of Music.
Conducted the Jumprava Cultural Centre’s early music ensemble Modus Vivendi (until 2015), is the artistic director of the Latvian Academy of Culture youth choir Sōla and of the Sēja District’s mixed choir Sīda, and performs the duties of choirmaster at the Latvian National Opera.
Also an active symphony-orchestra conductor – has been conducting the Rīga Music Schools’ combined symphony orchestra since 2014, collaborated with the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, Liepāja Symphony Orchestra, the Rīga professional brass band, Vidzeme Chamber Orchestra, Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music Symphony Orchestra, Estonian Academy of Music Orchestra, Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, Norrköping Symphony Orchestra, Gävle Symphony Orchestra, Umeå Symphony Orchestra, Dalarna Chamber Orchestra, Gotland Brass Band and Linköping Brass Band.
A chief conductor at the XXVth - XXVIIth All-Latvian Song Festivals, the Xth Latvian School Song and Dance Festival and of Limbaži District choirs (since 2009).
The conductor remembers standing before the massed choir for the first time: “I was, of course, very thrilled and happy. I considered being appointed a chief conductor a great honour. That time, I not only enjoyed the concert at Mežaparks, but also all the preparations – this sense of the celebration of song which is encoded into the compound phrase Song Festival. There really is a feeling that songs are being celebrated more and more.” (Klusiņa-Šulce, Līga. Kaspars Adamsons: I’m not one of the despotic conductors. La.lv, 27 June 2017.)
Nominated for the 2014 Grand Music Award and winner of the audience sympathy award, as well as the winner of countless competitions, including the Best Conductor Award at the 1st International Baltic Sea Choir Competition (2016), won the Best Conductor Award at the 5th International Florence Choir Festival (2016) and 28th International Praga Cantat 2014 choir competition, received the New Talent Award at the 25th International Seghizzi Choir Competition in Italy (2013) and was awarded a prize for his convincing debut at the XXIVth All-Latvian Song Festival Choir Competition (2008).
