On August 22, the 31st Pažaislis Music Festival will once again invite its loyal listeners to the Pažaislis Monastery, where the sounds of music will fill the cozy courtyard with their beauty. At the concert “Broadway Night in Pažaislis,” listeners will hear the Kaunas City Symphony Orchestra and two soloists – guests from the United States: Marnie Breckenridge (soprano) and Franco Pomponi (baritone). The joint team of performers will be conducted by Maestro Constantine Orbelian, who is already well known to the audience.

The name alone suggests that the festival will treat listeners to a veritable feast of musicals. Indeed, the performers will take listeners on a journey through the world of musicals, featuring the most popular songs that have graced the stage from the mid-20th century to the present day. The stage will feature numbers from musicals created during the so-called classic golden age (1940–1960) and the era of mega-musicals (1970–1990), as well as modern Broadway hits and other audience favorites. The audience will surely be enchanted by songs from beloved musicals such as The Sound of Music, West Side Story, Evita, Chicago, Frozen, The Lion King, The Phantom of the Opera, and others.

Marnie Breckenridge is a singer and actress renowned for her expressive performances, diverse roles, and pure lyrical voice. She is consistently praised for her well-founded roles and authenticity. The performer is loved by the most talented composers of our time, and her musical talent and singing technique are matched only by her acting skills. The singer has already created eight roles in world opera premieres and recorded a wealth of music by contemporary composers.
Kristin Sampson (soprano, USA) is an internationally acclaimed American soprano who has appeared on leading opera and concert stages across Europe and the United States. Her rich, expressive voice and compelling interpretations have earned her recognition from audiences and critics alike.
Franco Pomponi is praised by critics for his rich, expressive, beautiful voice, radiating boundless masculinity. His unique sense of style and unparalleled drama have brought the singer to the prestigious stages of opera houses and concert halls around the world. “Franco Pomponi is a true professional, a baritone with a warm, focused timbre who makes you feel the true Italian legato style,” critics say of his singing.