On the eve of the start of the XII annual competition for young performers of classical music "Inessa Galante's Talents," laureates from previous years shared their achievements on the Latvian and world stage. All artists note the enormous contribution of the Inessa Galante Foundation and the opera diva personally to their careers and professional growth.
The acceptance of applications for participation in this prestigious musical competition continues until October 20. The competition takes place in four categories: vocal art, playing keyboard instruments, playing string instruments, and playing wind and percussion instruments.
The laureate of the competition, the talented and already highly sought-after violinist and pianist Andrei Egorov, this year received a master's degree from the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music, performing a violin concerto by Latvian composer Romualds Kalnins accompanied by the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra. As part of the soloists of the chamber orchestra Davinspiro Camerata, conducted by Daniil Bulaev, he participated in the recording of the string octet by the outstanding Romanian composer George Enescu for the prestigious British label "Champs Hill Records." Andrei Egorov has taken the position of concertmaster in the Latvian Symphony Orchestra this season. This year he worked on the same stage with conductors such as Tarmo Peltokoski, Kristīne Posa, Jean-Claude Casadesus, Jorma Panula, and others.
The bright young soprano, laureate of the competition Elizaveta Galkina, graduated this year with a master's degree from the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music and completed training under the Erasmus program in Florence at the Luigi Cherubini Conservatory. In the past season, she made her debut at the Latvian National Opera in the role of Lisa in the production of "The Sound of Music." In addition to her studies and work at the Latvian National Opera, she actively performed in concerts of opera and chamber music in Riga and Jūrmala.
The past season of 2024/25 was also marked by good results for the talented baritone and competition laureate Daniils Pogorilovs. He performed at the opening concert of the season at the Latvian National Opera, made his debut in the role of Belcore in Donizetti's opera "The Elixir of Love," and reached the finals of the international Ottavio Ziino competition in Rome, receiving an award as the best baritone of the competition. In May of this year, Daniils made his debut in the role of Lotario in Handel's opera "Flavio" on the stage of the Latvian National Opera.
The competition laureate and virtuoso oboist Rinalds Rosenlauks managed to perform with many well-known Latvian artists in the past season and gained brilliant experience in concert performances: the Operetta Festival in Ikšķile, the Opera Festival in Sigulda, and the concert of the Inessa Galante Foundation "Jaunie un spožie" at the Dzintari concert hall.
The young pianist and competition laureate Sandija Leja participated in several prestigious competitions over the past year and won prizes at the Young Musician Tallin international competition for pianists and cellists and at the international piano competition in Vienna "Wiener Klassik." The competition laureate Anastasia Dolgonenko will be seen on the stage of the revived Operetta Theater — in the lead role in Franz Lehár's production of "Giuditta."
The brilliant and already well-known soprano Victoria Majore continues to reach new heights and began collaborating with the Sinfonietta Riga orchestra and conductor Normunds Šne. In 2025, Victoria, in collaboration with the head of the State Academic Choir “Latvija” Maris Sirmais, participated in a grand performance of a work by contemporary Chinese composer and conductor Tan Dun, where she performed two female roles.
"Inessa Galante's Talents" is a long-term large-scale program to support young talented soloists and musicians performing classical music of various genres. As part of this cultural and social project, the "Inessa Galante Foundation" finds, develops, and promotes the best performers on a competitive basis, igniting new stars on the musical horizon. Thanks to the personal involvement of the competition's patroness — opera diva Inessa Galante — in the development program for the talents and opportunities of young performers, many laureates are already successfully conquering world stages. The laureates of the competition traditionally receive invitations to participate in all musical events organized by the Inessa Galante Foundation, as well as other prestigious events.
The laureates of the "Inessa Galante's Talents" competition will receive cash prizes, scholarships, master classes with renowned artists, and other valuable awards from project partners and patrons. Laureates in each category will receive prizes: 200 euros for third place, 300 euros for second place, and winners will receive a cash prize of 400 euros. Additionally, cash rewards of 100 euros are given to the teachers of the first-place winners in each category.
The competition will take place in two stages: in the first round, the jury will evaluate video applications from participants and will announce the performers who have reached the finals on November 2. On November 3, public voting will begin on the official project website inesesgalantestalanti.lv to determine the winner in the "Audience Sympathy" nomination. The final of the competition and the award ceremony for the laureates will take place on November 30 in the Small Hall of the Dzintari concert hall.
More details about the competition conditions can be found on the website inesesgalantestalanti.lv
For up-to-date information, follow the official competition page on social media Facebook
