The Abduction of Europa – Hanzas Perons, November 13, 2026

The Abduction of Europa – Hanzas Perons, November 13, 2026

The ARĒNA New Music Festival will conclude with the premiere of Gundega Šmite and Dimitris Maronidis’s electroacoustic chamber opera “The Abduction of Europa.” The event will take place on Friday, November 13, 2026, at Hanzas Perons in Riga. Visitor entry is scheduled from 6:00 p.m. The chamber opera begins at 7:00 p.m. The work is based on the myth of Europa, the Phoenician princess abducted by a white bull. In the performance, this myth takes on a contemporary sound and connects with questions of European identity, change, and geopolitical tension. The sound of acoustic instruments will intertwine with the sonic possibilities created by electronics. Video projections and a lighting score will complement the musical experience. The contemporary music ensemble Ensemble EUNOIA will perform. The scenography will be created by Katrīna Neiburga, while Oskars Pauliņš will be responsible for the lighting. This will be the festival’s culminating event for audiences interested in contemporary music, opera, and the meeting of different art forms.

What to Expect at the Event

“The Abduction of Europa” is an electroacoustic chamber opera by Gundega Šmite and Dimitris Maronidis. At the premiere, the music will combine the sound of acoustic instruments with an electronically created soundscape, while the visual dramaturgy will be shaped by scenography, video projections, and lighting. The production will invite audiences to reflect on the image and identity of Europe from a contemporary perspective.

Venue and Time

The event will take place on November 13, 2026, at Hanzas Perons, Hanzas iela 16A, Riga. Entry for visitors begins at 6:00 p.m., and the chamber opera starts at 7:00 p.m.

Tickets

Ticket prices start at EUR 30.

Important Information for Visitors

• The event venue is Hanzas Perons, Hanzas iela 16A, Riga.
• Entry begins at 6:00 p.m.
• The chamber opera premiere begins at 7:00 p.m.

Why Attend

The event offers an opportunity to experience the premiere of a new chamber opera by Latvian and Greek composers at the conclusion of the ARĒNA Festival. It combines contemporary music, electronics, stage space, video projections, and lighting art in a unified production.