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Latvian Stage Designer Pēteris Rožlapa’s Ashes Return Home,Legacy to be Revived

A poignant moment of homecoming occured last fall as the Latvian National Opera and Ballet (LNOB) fulfilled a family’s deeply held wish,interring the ashes of celebrated stage designer Pēteris Rožlapa and his family in the Sarkandaugava Kalna cemetery. A monument, crafted by sculptor Bruno Strautiņas, now stands near the family’s grave, symbolizing the return of the Rožlapa family to their homeland after decades in exile.

Did you know? – Pēteris Rožlapa began his career at the Latvian National Opera in 1925 as an assistant, quickly demonstrating his talent for stage design and costume creation.

A Lifelong Dedication to Latvian Opera

Pēteris Rožlapa began his illustrious career at the Latvian National Opera in 1925, initially serving as an assistant to the renowned scenographer and costume designer Ludolfs Libertas. His talent quickly became apparent, and by 1935, Rožlapa ascended to the position of main stage designer. In this role, he created monumental decorations and costumes for a wide range of productions, including operas, ballets, and operettas, profoundly shaping the visual landscape of Latvian performing arts.

Pro tip – Rožlapa’s designs were integral to the success of Latvian opera and ballet during the interwar period, establishing a distinct visual style for the LNOB.

A Legacy Etched in Iconic Productions

Rožlapa’s designs graced some of the most memorable productions of his era.among the notable works for which he created stage costumes are Alfred Kalniņš’s opera “Baņuta” (staged in both 1937 and 1941),giuseppe Verdi’s “Aida” (1938),Jānis Kalniņš’s ballet “Autumn” (1938),Jacques Offenbach’s “Hofmann’s Tales” (1938),Verdi’s “The Mask Ball” (1939),Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” (1940),Peter Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake” (1941),Richard Wagner’s “Tannhäuser” (1942),Kalniņš’s “Hamlet” (1943),and Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Fidelio” (1944). These productions stand as testaments to his artistic vision and technical skill.

reader question – Why was Rožlapa forced into exile? He fled Latvia in 1944 with his family to escape the political turmoil and seek refuge in the United States.

Forced exile and a Daughter’s Wish

Tragically, in 1944, Rožlapa, along with his wife Vilma and daughter Anita, was compelled to flee Latvia and seek refuge in the United States. He spent the remainder of his life in exile, but the desire to see his artistic legacy recognized in his homeland never faded. In the summer of 2024, Áron McCrea, representing the Rožlapa family heritage, contacted the LNOB to convey Anita Rožlapa’s wish: that her father’s artistic contributions be returned to Latvia and enrich the nation’s cultural heritage.

This return, marked by the burial of his ashes and the installation of the monument, represents not only a personal homecoming for Rožlapa but also a rea