Leona Gustaff

With a Song in Their Hearts

Leona Gustaff, now retired, is a former teacher of music and director of choirs in the United States of America.

From the elegant pianissimo beginning of "Vidur Žalios Pievos" to the invitation to the attendees to join the soloists in "Meilės Valsas" at the end, the singers captivated the audience. Bass Vladimiras Prudnikovas and mezzo-soprano Judita Leitaitė finally appeared in Washington, D.C. during their musical tour of the United States.

Prudnikovas, dressed in formal attire, took us all back to Lithuania with simple country folk songs. With clear diction and beautiful resonance, he carried the art to a masterful performance. His unique stage presence, emotional and rollicking portrayal of life in the old country, was delightful. He enamored his audience. Whether he sang in German, French, Italian, or Lithuanian, he filled the room and stirred the audience with his beautiful expressive voice.

Judita Leitaitė performed festive, lighthearted, and deeply profound music. Her lovely long black dress with sequins at the center and large polka dots on the full skirt added to the solemnity of the songs from "Senojo Testamento", composed by Anatolijus Senderovas especially for the artist. She sang the haunting refrains as if she had lived through the sad persecutions and infamies of earlier times. "Carmen" lit up the stage as Bizet's operas were introduced. Letaitė's well developed voice filled the auditorium with beautiful tones, always on pitch, superb breath control, and tastefully polished stage presence.

Nijolė Ralytė accompanied both artists on the piano. With a lovely crisp touch, clear interpretations, well detailed phrasing, her performance enhanced the program.

Vladimiras Prudnikovas, Judita Leitaitė, and Nijolė Ralytė are musicians of superb quality. Vladimiras is a very popular voice teacher at the Lithuanian Music Academy – actually, he is the director of the voice program. His repertoire is varied - from Bach to Wagner, opera, requiem masses, oratorios, and concerts.

Judita Leitaitė graduated from the Lithuanian Academy with honors and has studied with the German singer, Elizabeth Schwarzkoff. She has toured the U.S.A. and many nations of Europe. She also sang with the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Sir Jehudi Menuhin.

The caliber of the performances from Lithuania is exciting. The talent and the time and energy given to develop the gift is tremendous. We have every reason to be proud of the sons and daughters of the homeland. These are professional artists, having performed and been welcomed in many parts of the world. Let us invite them back. We must bring our sons, daughters, and friends to hear them.

These eminent soloists were commissioned to perform in the United States by the Lithuanian-American Community's Cultural Council. The Embassy of Lithuania and the Lithuanian-Americans in Washington sponsored the program in the D.C. area.