On 6 September, at Riga Castle, President of Latvia Egils Levits presented a Certificate of Merit to conductor Aleksandrs Viļumanis to mark his important birthday and honour his excellent contribution to Latvian music and culture.
“As a brilliant interpreter of opera, your name will forever be a part of the history of Latvian opera, music and culture. Your creative work as a conductor and your contribution has enriched the traditions of classical and opera music in Latvia. It has allowed new musical talent to bloom making the name of our country be known around the world,” the President of Latvia notes on the Certificate of Merit.
“You began working at the opera 60 years ago – 60 years is equivalent to at least three or four generations of Latvians that you have brought joy to. Your contribution to Latvian opera is invaluable, and I believe that your touch is still visible and tangible,” President Levits said, emphasising that opera is a very popular part of Latvian culture, in great part thanks to the input of Aleksandrs Viļumanis.
