Alfrēds Kalniņš

Alfrēds Kalniņš was a pioneering Latvian composer, conductor, and organist, best known for his contributions to the development of Latvian national classical music in the early 20th century. Born in 1879, Kalniņš played a key role in shaping Latvia’s cultural identity through music, with his works often drawing from folk themes and nationalistic elements. He's especially renowned as the composer of Baņuta (1920), the first Latvian national opera, a milestone in the country's operatic history.

As an accomplished organist and conductor, Kalniņš was also influential in music education and performance in Latvia. His organ music and various instrumental pieces remain important parts of the Latvian classical repertoire. Throughout his career, Kalniņš championed the significance of creating music in the Latvian language and style, leaving a lasting legacy that's still celebrated in his homeland today.