A Romantic Evening with the Baltic Piano Trio

A Romantic Evening with the Baltic Piano Trio Featuring Lithuanian Cellist Mindaugas Bačkus With Special Guest Vocalists Regina Šilinskaitė and Auksė Gubanovaitė Thursday, October 29, 2026 | 7:00 PMSpirit in Niagara, Niagara-on-the-Lake Tickets: $39 Regular$19 Seniors (60+) – Music Niagara Classical Rate Join Music Niagara for an intimate Romantic Evening at Spirit in Niagara featuring three exceptional international musicians performing as the Baltic Piano Trio. Mindaugas Bačkus, cello • Victoria Kogan, piano • Atis Bankas, violin Set within the beautiful atmosphere of Spirit in Niagara, this special chamber music evening brings together the passion, lyricism and virtuosity of the great Romantic tradition. The program includes works by Schubert, Schumann, Saint-Saëns, Tchaikovsky and Piazzolla, including Piazzolla’s exhilarating Le Grand Tango, along with other musical gems. The trio will also be joined for special vocal selections by acclaimed Lithuanian soprano Regina Šilinskaitė and 16-year-old rising vocalist Auksė Gubanovaitė, adding another beautiful dimension to this international evening of music. The Baltic Piano Trio Mindaugas Bačkus, cello Lithuanian cellist Mindaugas Bačkus is an internationally active performer, artistic director, educator and visionary musical curator whose work spans Baroque and classical repertoire, contemporary music, improvisation and interdisciplinary performance. Since 2009, he has served as Artistic Director of the Klaipėda Chamber Orchestra, where he has developed innovative programming connecting music from different periods with contemporary artistic ideas. Bačkus is also the founder of the International Klaipėda Cello Festival and International David Geringas Cello Competition, and since 2020 has served as Artistic Director of the international N Žemė Music Festival in Neringa, Lithuania. As a soloist and chamber musician, he has performed extensively throughout Lithuania and internationally and has collaborated with leading artists and ensembles, including Kremerata Baltica. Victoria Kogan, piano Internationally acclaimed pianist Victoria Kogan has been praised as “an admirably gifted performer” by Yuri Temirkanov and a “true artist” by Yefim Bronfman. A prizewinner at numerous international competitions, including the Tchaikovsky International Piano Competition, Valsesia Musica International Competition, Stravinsky Piano Competition, Andorra Piano Competition, Minneapolis E-Piano Competition and Gyeongnam International Music Competition, she has performed on major stages around the world. Her international appearances have included the Concertgebouw, Cologne Philharmonic, Teatro di San Carlo in Naples, Salle Pleyel in Paris and the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory, with performances throughout Europe, North America and Asia. Atis Bankas, violin Violinist Atis Bankas is the Founder and Artistic Director of Music Niagara and a distinguished international performer, educator and mentor whose career spans more than four decades. A longtime member of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Bankas performed on the TSO’s acclaimed recording of Messiaen: Turangalîla-Symphonie, winner of the 2025 JUNO Award for Classical Album of the Year (Large Ensemble). As a soloist and chamber musician, Bankas has appeared throughout Canada, the United States and Europe. His artistry, mentorship and musical vision have been at the heart of Music Niagara since its founding. Special Guest Vocalist Regina Šilinskaitė Acclaimed Lithuanian soprano Regina Šilinskaitė joins the Baltic Piano Trio for special vocal selections during the evening. A soloist with the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre since 1998, Šilinskaitė has performed leading roles in works by Verdi, Mozart, Donizetti, Puccini, Bizet, Offenbach, Lehár and Strauss. In 2005, she received Lithuania’s prestigious Golden Stage Cross as the country’s outstanding opera soloist of the year for her performance as Eudoxie in Halévy’s La Juive. Her international appearances have taken her throughout Europe and to the Israeli Opera, and she has worked with distinguished conductors including Yehudi Menuhin, Saulius Sondeckis, Daniele Rustioni and Modestas Pitrėnas. Alongside her performing career, she is an experienced vocal educator and in 2026 became a professor in the Vocal Department of the Vytautas Magnus University Music Academy. Special Guest Young Vocalist Auksė Gubanovaitė Music Niagara is delighted to welcome 16-year-old Lithuanian vocalist Auksė Gubanovaitė for a special guest appearance, performing three pieces during the evening. Auksė is an award-winning young vocalist from Vilnius, Lithuania, where she studies at the Vilnius Balys Dvarionas Ten-Year School of Music. In 2026, Auksė was named Champion at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre International Competition in Thailand and earned 1st Place at the IV Republican Young Singers’ Competition at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre. She has also received prizes at national and international vocal competitions and, since 2022, has been recognized annually at her school’s Music Angel Awards for outstanding competition achievements. Her special appearance adds another exciting dimension to this international evening of music. Dinner at Spirit in Niagara Complete your evening at Spirit in Niagara with dinner before the concert, followed by an intimate performance featuring exceptional international artists. Dinner reservations are strongly recommended. Reserve your table online:https://www.exploretock.com/spiritinniagaradistillery/event/625292/music-niagara-presents Or call Spirit in Niagara at 905-934-1300 to make your reservation. Beautiful music, exceptional international artists and the warmth of Niagara wine country come together for one unforgettable Romantic evening. A Romantic Evening with the Baltic Piano Trio Featuring Lithuanian Cellist Mindaugas BačkusWith Special Guest Vocalists Regina Šilinskaitė and Auksė Gubanovaitė October 29, 2026 | 7:00 PMSpirit in Niagara $39 Regular | $19 Classical Seniors Rate 60+