The next International Virgilijus Noreika Competition for Singers is planned for 2026, Vilnius

Virgilijus Kęstutis Noreika (1935-2018, Shiauliai) – a Lithuanin tenor.

First ten years of his life he spent in Šiauliai. Since 1942 in Šiauliai Drama Theatre performed a role of a dwarf. In 1945 with his parents moved to Vilnius. In 1946 started studying at the 1-st Gymnasium for Boys. During 1949–1953 was studying at Juozas Tallat-Kelpša Music School. In 1953–1958 was studying at LSSR Conservatoire – Voice solo (Kipras Petrauskas class).

In 1957–1975 he was a soloist at LSSR Opera and Ballet Theatre. In 1965–1966 he was the first one in post-war Lithuania who had his internship at Milano theatre La Scala, where he prepared six roles. Performed Pinkerton's role (G. Puccini opera Madame Butterfly; director Gennaro Barra). Later on this stage he appeared several times with the Moscow theatre troupe of Bolshoi Theatre. In 1974–1987 he was the chair of the LSSR theatre sociey. In 1975–1991 leading and artistic director of the Opera and Ballet Thetre.

From 1976 was teaching at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre (professor). In 1993–1994 was teaching at the Latin American Academy of Singing in Caracas (Venezuela). In 1995–1996 professor constantly invited to lead masterclasses at the Theatre ''Estonia''. Since 1997 visiting professor at Estonian Academy of Music, since 2000 Head of the Voice Department.

Since 2003 artistic director and professor of the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre Opera Studio. Students of V. Noreika: Ilja Aksionov, Eugenijus Chrebtovas, Algirdas Janutas, Sergejus Larinas, Arūnas Malikėnas, Arvydas Markauskas, Edgaras Montvidas-Prudkauskas, Laimonas Pautienius, Audrius Rubežius, Jonas Sakalauskas, Bronius Tamašauskas, Merūnas Vitulskis, Vaidas Vyšniauskas, Mindaugas Žemaitis among others.

Since 1971 a member of SSKP. Since 1973 LSSR AT deputy. In 2000 candidate of Christian Democratic Union during the elecion to Seimas. In 2003 candidate of Liberal Democratic Party during the election to Seimas in Antakalnis constituency.

Was married to a pianist and concertmaster Žaneta Noreikienė. The second wife is a ballet soloist, teacher at the ballet school Loreta Bartusevičiūtė-Noreikienė (b. 1958). He has a son Virgilijus, a daughter Rasa from the first marriage.

Theatres and Operas

Virgilijus Noreika has appeared on many stages of the world theatres: Moscow's Bolshoi Theatre (more than 50 times), Berlin State Opera, Paris Grand Opera, Buenos Aires Teatro Colon, Stockholm, Sofia, Belgrade, Budapest, Bucharest, Warsaw, Prague, Bratislava, Kiev, Minsk, Tallinn, Riga, in Opera of Lithuanians of Chicago among others.

The singer portrayed more than 50 roles. Among the roles of the Lithuanian composers – Kazimieras Viktoras Banaitis, Giedrius Kuprevičius, Vytautas Klova, Balys Dvarionas, Vytautas Laurušas – performed the main roles of most famous foreign composer operas: Don Jose (G. Bizet Carmen), Werther (J. Massenet Werther), Edgardo, Nemorino (G. Donizetti Lucia di Lammermoor), Lensky (P. Tchaikovsky Eugene Onegin), Otello, Alfredo, Duke (G. Verdi Otello, La Traviata, Rigoletto), Cavaradossi, Johnson, Rodolfo (G. Puccini Tosca, Manon Lescaut, La Boheme), Vladimir (A. Borodin Prince Igor), Mozart (N. Rimsky-Korsakov Mozart and Salieri) among others.

Virgilijus Noreika performs solo concerts, he has organised more than 700 of them. Tenor parts were performed in G. Verdi Requiem, L.van Beethoven Symphony No. 9, A. Arutunian cantatas and etc. Performs with orchestras of Lithuania and foreign countries. Toured in Bulgaria, Romania, Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Russia, Germany, France, Austria, Italy, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, USA, Canada, Chile, Peru, Argentina, Venezuela, Japan.