Viljandi is a town and municipality in southern Estonia with a population of 17,407 in 2019. It is the capital of Viljandi County and is geographically located between two major Estonian cities, Pärnu and Tartu. The town was first mentioned in 1283, upon being granted its town charter by Wilhelm von Endorpe. The town became a member of the Hanseatic League at the beginning of the 14th century, and is one of five Estonian towns and cities in the league. The once influential Estonian newspaper Sakala was founded in Viljandi in 1878.
The Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre began as a mixed choir of the Estonia Society Musical Department (EMD) on the eve of World War I. The assembly of the Estonia Society created the Tallinn Higher Music School on November 17, 1918. The opening ceremony took place on September 28, 1919. In 1923 the educational institution was renamed the Tallinn Conservatoire. In 1938 the State Drama School was opened. In 1993 the school was renamed the Estonian Academy of Music. In 1995 the Drama Faculty was renamed the Higher Theatre School.
Artur Kapp was an Estonian composer.
Hortus Musicus is an Estonian ensemble that was established in 1972 by Andres Mustonen, a violin student of the Tallinn State Conservatory. Hortus Musicus specialises in performing early music, including 8th–15th-century European forms such as Gregorian Chant, Organum, Medieval Liturgic Hymns and Motets, the Franco-Flemish School, and Renaissance Music. The group also presents early, non-European styles including Indian Ragas, Israeli temple songs, Arabian mughams and Jewish music. The group's repertoire has also included pieces by 20th-century composers.
The annual Glasperlenspiel Music Festival is a joint project of Eesti Kontsert and Estonian Record Productions since 1995. It is a leading musical event in the Estonian summer.
Erki Pehk is an Estonian conductor and artistic director of opera music festival PromFest.
Ewert and The Two Dragons is an Estonian indie-rock band. The line-up consists of vocalist Ewert Sundja, guitarist Erki Pärnoja, drummer Kristjan Kallas, and bassist Ivo Etti. Their debut album The Hills Behind The Hills was released in 2009. The follow-up Good Man Down was recorded at the beginning of 2011 and was released in April on I Love You Records. The group's third album, Circles, was released in 2015 on Sire Records. They have gained recognition in the Baltic states as well as in several other European countries.
PLMF Music Trust was inaugurated on 7 February 2003 to support the development of Estonian musicians by organizing master classes, opportunities to perform and by introducing them internationally. The founders of the trust decided to name it after the opera singer Pille Lill.
Joonatan Jürgenson is an Estonian classical pianist from Tõravere. He made his debut at the age of 12 after receiving the 1st prize at the "Young Musician" competition in Tallinn, 2004.
Tanel-Eiko Novikov is an Estonian classical percussionist, playing marimba and xylophone. He represented Estonia at the Eurovision Young Musicians 2018.
Asta Vihandi was an Estonian opera and operetta soprano, stage and film actress, and dancer whose career began in 1947 at the age of eighteen. Vihandi's longest engagement was at the Estonian National Opera, which lasted from 1950 until 1985. Later in life, she worked as an administrator for the National Philharmonic of the Estonian SSR.
Paul Mägi is an Estonian conductor in concert and opera and is also an academic teacher and violinist. He has commissioned works for the Estonian National Opera.
Cyrano de Bergerac, Op. 45, subtitled A Romantic Opera, is an opera in three acts and an epilogue created in 1974 by Estonian composer Eino Tamberg. The libretto is by Jaan Kross and is based on the 1897 play of Edmond Rostand. The premiere was on 2 July 1976 in the Estonia Theatre in Tallinn.
Saaremaa Opera Festival is an international music festival which focuses on opera music. The festival takes place in Kuressaare, Saaremaa, Estonia. This festival is the oldest music festival in Estonia focused on opera music. Since 2008, the festival has been organised by Eesti Kontsert.
Pärnu Concert Hall is a concert hall in Pärnu, Estonia. The hall is operated by Eesti Kontsert. The most solemn events in Pärnu are held there. For example, the Mayor and New Year's Eve celebrations.
Maila Rästas was an Estonian stage, film, and radio actress. Rästas was employed at Estonian Drama Theatre in Tallinn from 1961 until 1992 before retiring. She also appeared in several films.
Laine is an Estonian band which was established in 1960 being a part of Estonian SSR State Philharmonic.
Vanalinnastuudio was a theatre in Tallinn, Estonia.
Estonian Music Days is a music festival which focuses on Estonian contemporary music. Since 1993 the festival take place annually and in spring. The festival is organized by Estonian Composers' Union in collaboration with Estonian Music Information Centre and with other institutions.
Aivar Mäe is an Estonian conductor and musician.
