Virgilijus Noreika facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Virgilijus Noreika
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| Born | 22 September 1935 Šiauliai, Lithuania
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| Died | 3 March 2018 (aged 82) Vilnius, Lithuania
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| Nationality | Lithuanian |
| Alma mater | Lithuanian State Conservatory |
| Occupation | Opera singer (tenor) |
| Years active | 1957–2018 |
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| Children | 2 |
Virgilijus Kęstutis Noreika (born September 22, 1935 – died March 3, 2018) was a very famous Lithuanian tenor. A tenor is a male singer with a high vocal range. He was known as one of the greatest opera singers from Lithuania.
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Early Life and Training
Virgilijus Noreika was born in Šiauliai, a city in Lithuania. He loved music and studied hard. In 1958, he graduated with top honors from the Lithuanian State Conservatory. This is a special school for music and theater.
Even before he finished his studies, in 1957, he started performing. He joined the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre. This was a big step for a young singer.
First Big Roles
In 1959, Noreika sang the part of Alfredo Germont. This was in Verdi's opera called La traviata. This role became one of his favorites. He performed it many times throughout his career.
Later, in 1965, he went to Italy. He studied at the famous La Scala opera house in Milan. There, he learned six new opera roles. He also sang the part of Pinkerton in Puccini's opera Madama Butterfly.
A Star on the Opera Stage
Virgilijus Noreika performed in over 40 different opera roles. Some of his most famous roles included:
- Cavaradossi from Tosca by Puccini
- Faust from Faust by Gounod
- Rudolfo from La bohème by Puccini
- Otello from Otello by Verdi
International Performances
Noreika sang in many famous opera houses around the world. He performed at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow. He also sang at the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires. Another famous place he performed was the Opéra National de Paris.
He sang in more than 30 different countries. He took part in over 1000 opera shows. He also gave about 600 solo concerts. He recorded 20 albums and CDs of his music.
Awards and Teaching
In 1997, Virgilijus Noreika celebrated 40 years as an opera tenor. He received the Kipras Award for his amazing career. Later in his life, he became a professor. He taught at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre. He also taught at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre. He shared his knowledge with new singers.
In 2011, he received the Lithuanian National Prize for Culture and Arts. This award was for his "highest vocal excellence and unfading talent." In 2015, he was given the Medal of Pushkin in Russia.
Honoring His Legacy
To remember his great achievements, a special singing contest was created. The first International Virgilijus Noreika Competition for Singers happened in 2017. This competition will take place every four years. It happens around his birthday to honor his memory.
