Zarins?, Margeris
Zarinsν, Margeris
Zarinsν, Margeris, Latvian composer; b. Jaunpiebalga, May 24, 1910. He studied composition in Riga with Wihtol at the Latvian Cons. (1929-33), and also took lessons in piano and organ. From 1940 to 1950 he was director of music of the Latvian Art Theater. From 1956 to 1968 he was secretary-general of the Union of Latvian Composers. In his works, he stylized the elements of Latvian folk songs. He was particularly successful in his operas on contemporary subjects, often with a satirical tilt. In his Opera uz lankuma (Opera in the Town Square; 1970), he attempted to revive the early Soviet attempts to bring theatrical spectacles into the streets.
Works
dramatic: Opera: Kungs un spelmanitis (The King and the Little Musician; 1939); Uz jauno krastu (To New Shores; 1955); Zatas dzirnavas (The Green Mill; 1958); Nabaqu opera (Beggar’s Opera; 1964); Sveta Mauricija brinum-darbs (Miracle of St. Mauritius; 1964); Opera uz lankuma (Opera in the Town Square; 1970). ORCH.: Piano Concerto (1937); Greek Vases for Piano and Orch. (1946; rev. 1960). VOCAL: Oratorios, including Valmieras varoni (The Heroes of Valmiera; 1950) and Mahagoni (Mahagonny), a propaganda work denouncing the Western colonial policies in Africa (1965); numerous choruses based on Latvian folk songs.
Bibliography
L. Krasinska, M. Z. (Riga, I960).
—Nicholas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire