XVI International St. James Festival Opening Concert

The XVI International St. James Festival opens its doors with an opening concert featuring a work that celebrates spiritual freedom and the strength of the human spirit.

Composer Vaida Striaupaitė-Beinarienė’s oratorio *The Free Prisoner* is an inspiring musical testimony to the unbreakable power of the human spirit, fidelity to one’s values, and devotion to one’s homeland.

At the heart of the work is the life story of Blessed Teofilius Matulionis, based on Bishop Algirdas Jurevičius’s book *Meet Me – I Am Teofilius*. Matulionis became an example of true inner freedom: even when persecuted, arrested, or imprisoned, he remained unbroken in his truth, faith, and service to his nation.

The role of Blessed Teofilius Matulionis will be performed by one of Lithuania’s most prominent bass singers, Liudas Mikalauskas. He will be joined on stage by the State Choir “Vilnius” (Artistic Director and Chief Conductor Artūras Dambrauskas) and the Lithuanian National Philharmonic’s ensemble *Musica Humana* (Artistic Director and Conductor Robertas Beinaris).

Admission is free.