Chamber Orchestra - Lyra: History

Formed at 1997 within the Lithuanian community of Toronto, Canada, the chamber orchestra adopted the name LYRA the following year. Its members consist of highly trained musicians with many years experience. LYRA’S repertoire consists of Lithuanian composers’ works, as well as other well known composers. Many of the first appearances of the orchestra were dedicated to a number of commemorative events. The future plans of LYRA include full concerts dedicated to particular composers beginning with Vivaldi, Bach and Mozart. Music lovers have found a truly valuable musical experience in the Chamber Orchestra LYRA.

The first performance of the orchestra took place in the celebration of the 11th of March, a day of Restored Lithuanian Independence on March 15, 1998 in the hall of Resurrection Parish, in Toronto. Performances for this ocasion became traditional.

The Lithuanian-Canadian Newspaper (“Homeland’s lights”, 31.03.1998) wrote about the first performance of the orchestra:

The artistic part of the program was a great pleasant surprise to residents of Toronto. The chamber orchestra directed by a violinist Audrone Sarpyte has appeared for the first time on the stage. She is the former senior teacher at the Lithuanian Academy of Music. The new orchestra performed elegantly 2 national songs liked by Lithuanians - "Lietuva brangi" ("Dear Lithuania") and "Kur bega Sesupe" ("Where Sesupe flows"). A wonderful creation of M.K. Ciurlionis "Bekit bareliai" with interlaced Lithuanian intonations - reveries of Lithuanian countrymen and swiftness of a fight - has sounded in the hall of Resurrection for the first time.

T. Albinoni Adagio's emotional cadences of a violin (soloist A. Sarpyte) with organ part performed by J. Govedas reminded with its painful topic of people who sacrificed themselves for a freedom of Lithuania. Chamber orchestra, divided in two parts in "Serenade" by Mozart made the impression of a symphony orchestra. Vivaldi's well known and beloved music smell of a spring.

The first efforts of a chamber orchestra were accepted with warm ovations and standing audience. Orchestra played the second part of Vivaldi's "Winter" for a bis, this left the listeners in a high mood, charmed with the orchestra…

During the years of our existance we performed various programs at Concert Halls of Hamilton, Markham, Mississauga where our performances were very succesful. Famous Lithuanian conductors: maéstro Saulius Sondeckis and maéstro Vytautas Miskinis enriched some Lyra's performances. Both honoured Artists of Lithuania, welcomed work of the orchestra among Lithuanian Community.

After the Lyra's performance with Lithuanian boys Choir "Azuoliukas" (October 28, 2001) Director of Music of the St. Michel's school choir wrote: "... the orchestra and choir sounded heavenly...".

In ( 15.03.2003) Lithuanian Independence concert) we had guest conductor of the Toronto Philharmonia - Kerry Stratton.