On Thursday evening, the final concert of this year’s Vilnius Spring Festival resonated through the National Gallery of Art, bringing the festival to a celebratory close. The world-renowned Swedish vocal quartet Ringmasters concluded the festival with their anniversary tour programme, 20 YEARS GOOD VIBRATIONS. Their four-part harmony, vibrant stage presence, and impeccably refined sound provided an emotional finale to a festival that animated Vilnius throughout the month of May.

On stage, Jakob Stenberg, Rasmus Krigström, Victor Nilsson, and Didier Linder guided the audience through a diverse musical journey, ranging from barbershop classics to songs by The Beatles, Elvis Presley, and contemporary arrangements.

Ringmasters’ performance in Vilnius stood out not only for the ensemble’s artistry, but also for its special connection with the audience. The atmosphere within the National Gallery of Art was defined not by concert-hall formality, but by a genuine sense of togetherness. A spirit of lightness, humour, and emotional openness flowed continuously between performers and listeners. The quartet members repeatedly expressed their delight at finally visiting Vilnius in springtime, when the city is at its most beautiful.

“We are truly delighted by how much the festival has grown this year, both in terms of its programme and the attention it received from audiences. Our goal was for this year’s Vilnius Spring Festival to be open to diverse musical experiences while maintaining the highest artistic standards. It seems that this is exactly what happened,” says festival director and Director of the St. Christopher Chamber Orchestra, Nerijus Masevičius.

The third edition of Vilnius Spring Festival was dedicated to the musical traditions of the Nordic countries and their contemporary interpretations. The festival opened with ArtDeCounterPoint, a programme created especially for the occasion by brothers Motiejus, Mykolas, and Benediktas Bazaras, performed together with the St. Christopher Chamber Orchestra and conductor Modestas Barkauskas. This was followed by the first-ever Lithuanian performance of the internationally acclaimed Danish trio Dreamers’ Circus. The festival’s third evening featured composer Laimis Vilkončius and his programme If We Were to Return, joined by the choir Jauna Muzika and the St. Christopher Chamber Orchestra.

According to Nerijus Masevičius, planning for the festival began as early as last autumn, with a focus not only on presenting distinguished artists, but also on creating meaningful musical encounters.

“We wanted the festival to be more than simply a concert series — we wanted it to become a coherent musical journey. This year, that journey brought together premieres, international artists, different genres, and very different audiences,” he says.

The festival’s organisers emphasise that Vilnius Spring Festival will continue to expand its international programme and strengthen its role as a space in Vilnius for music that connects cultures, traditions, and generations of listeners.

“After evenings like these, one is left with the feeling that music still has the power to bring people together in a truly meaningful way. That is the greatest purpose of this festival,” says Nerijus Masevičius.

The festival was organised by the St. Christopher Chamber Orchestra.

More information: springfestival.lt