Opka
Opka is a vocal group shaped by an ethnomusicology-inspired approach, made up of six young women with a shared interest in traditional singing. The group focuses on reviving the repertoire of a specific group of singers from the village of Skuoliai – not just any local tradition, but a specific vocal legacy. Their work involves exploring the details of dialect, vocal character, melodic ornamentation, and rare harmonizing styles – while also challenging common stereotypes about what folk singing from the Aukštaitija region is supposed to sound like.
They perform songs that once echoed through the village of Skuoliai, originally sung by five women born in the early 20th century. These melodies, preserved in archival recordings, are now being brought back to life.
Opka came together in late 2023 and gave their first performance in early 2024, focusing entirely on the Skuoliai repertoire. Their process is rooted in close listening, transcription, and collective learning – constantly returning to one core question: “What really mattered to these women when they sang?”
The group approaches this music with curiosity and a sense of playfulness. Songs from Skuoliai often feature overlapping lines and vibrant harmonies – not strictly arranged, but with a kind of natural looseness that gives them character. Instead of chasing perfection, Opka focuses on sincerity, flow, and the kind of subtle energy that made those old recordings feel so alive.
