Ardo Ran Varres

Ardo Ran Varres (born March 19, 1974 in Tallinn) is an Estonian composer and actor.

Ardo Ran Varres studied at the Tallinn Music High School from 1981–1992, graduated in clarinet performance, and at the Higher Theatre School of Estonian Academy of Music from 1992–1996, graduated as an actor. From 2009-2011 he studied composition in Helena Tulve's composition class at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre. Varres has played clarinet and saxophone at the Especially Sad Music Ensemble from 1991–1993. From 1996–2001 Varres was employed as an actor at the Rakvere Theatre and from 2001-2003 at the Estonian Drama Theatre, and was described as among "the leading younger [Estonian] actors and actresses of the last decade". From 2003-2011 he was the music director of the Estonian Drama Theatre. Since 2011 Varres has been a freelance artist. He was elected as member of the Estonian Composers Union in 2007.

Ardo Varres has worked with many stage directors at several theatres in Estonia and has played tens of roles (also in Finland, Denmark and Germany). He has written music for more than 50 productions, films, TV and radio productions, for both Estonian and foreign dramaturgy, world classics and modern plays. Varres has also done voice-overs of series for Estonian television channels such as TV3, notably SpongeBob SquarePants, or Käsna-Kalle Kantpüks (until the show's seventh season). He also writes concert music.

In 2022 premiered his first opera The New Old Nick of Hellsbottom. Theatre Vanemuine. Libretto by Kristi Klopets based on A. H. Tammsaare’s book. Musical Director & Conductor Risto Joost. Director Vilppu Kiljunen (Finland). Set Designer Iir Hermeliin