Published: 20250314
For two days, the Palace of the Grand Dukes hosted the General Assembly and Conference of the European Early Music Network (REMA), marking the organization’s return to the Baltic region after thirteen years. The event provided REMA delegates with an opportunity to explore Lithuania’s early music scene during the International Marco Scacchi Early Music Festival. Additionally, Lithuanian musicologist Aleksandra Pister delivered a lecture on the tradition, development, and current state of early music in Lithuania. The REMA conference focused on changes, the present situation, and future perspectives in the field.
"More than 100 members of REMA—specialists, performers, and producers of early music—visited the Palace of the Grand Dukes. This event is a recognition of Lithuania as a country that fosters and develops early music traditions," shared Vytautas Gailevičius, director of the International Marco Scacchi Early Music Festival.
Lithuanian Vice Minister of Culture Edita Klaunauskaitė, speaking on behalf of the Minister, welcomed the REMA Assembly participants: "It is a great pleasure to host such a prestigious gathering of talented musicians, scholars, and early music enthusiasts in Lithuania. Our country has a rich cultural heritage, and we take pride in being part of the European community that values and promotes the arts. Early music, with its timeless beauty and historical significance, connects us to the past, enriches the present, and inspires the future. Events like these encourage collaboration and highlight the diverse musical traditions that make up Europe's shared cultural heritage." She also emphasized that in these turbulent geopolitical times, music has the power to bring people together and unite them.
Dr. Vydas Dolinskas, General Director of the National Museum – Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, expressed his delight at hosting the event: "For several years now, our museum’s festival has been a member of the European Early Music Network REMA. The fact that REMA chose Vilnius and our museum for its General Assembly and conference is a great recognition of our work."
He also noted Lithuania’s deep historical ties to early music: "Between the 15th and 17th centuries, what we now call early music was likely performed almost daily in the Palace of the Grand Dukes. The latest musical trends in Europe were introduced to Vilnius by Polish Queen and Grand Duchess of Lithuania, Bona Sforza Aragonese, Duchess of Bari and Rosano. In the early 17th century, Vilnius—then known as the 'Rome of the North'—hosted Italian operas even before many other European capitals. Not only in Warsaw but also in Vilnius, the famous Vasa royal chapel performed, under the patronage of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania’s chancellors, the noble Sapiega and Radziwiłł families. Musicians came to the palace from all over Europe, and today, early music once again connects us, reminding us of our shared European cultural tradition."
Currently, the International Marco Scacchi Early Music Festival is still ongoing at the Palace of the Grand Dukes (March 5–23). Now in its 11th edition, the festival is named after Marco Scacchi, the composer of the first operas staged in Lithuania in the 17th century.
Vytautas Gailevičius highlighted the festival’s growth: "Early music is thriving in Lithuania—more ensembles, projects, and festivals are emerging. At one time, there was only 'Banchetto Musicale,' but now we have rich festival programs in Biržai and Kretinga, as well as special projects traveling to various towns across Lithuania. The idea for our festival actually came from Galeze, Italy—the birthplace of Marco Scacchi, where there is also a museum dedicated to him and a festival in his name."
