Zagreb Classic open air festival is truly an experience for all classical music lovers. First-class musicians from Croatia and all over the world will perform the best of classical music from 21 June to 1 July for people from Zagreb and their guests on a unique stage under the stars on one of Zagreb’s most beautiful squares, King Tomislav Square.
The works of Croatian and international composers are performed for classical music lovers and those who are about to become one by the synergy of talents of artists who tried and tested on prestigious stages all over the world. But the one in Zagreb is, however, something special. Zagreb Classic open air is loved by many for the same reasons, though from different perspectives: because of the carefully selected program, beautiful ambience and that much important chemistry between the music, performers, audience and city atmosphere.
And one more thing: unlike the usual music halls, for this occasion you will wear sports or casual clothes and find your spot at free concerts on the lawn, sharing with others the experience of outstanding music in a truly special setting, overlooking the starry sky, beautiful flowers and the city lights. Because you are here – in the very center of the city, and yet, driven by music, you are so far away from everyday city life...
Zagreb Classic open air has been held since 2016, and among artists and music lovers it enjoys the cult status, further reinforced by this year’s edition.
Welcome!
Croatian Radiotelevision Symphony Orchestra, young soprano Josipa Bilić and the ensemble of the Ballet of the Croatian National Theater in Zagreb are joining forces led by maestro Martin Yates to perform some of the most magnificent orchestral and ballet pieces by Felix Mendelssohn, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Leonard Bernstein, Sergei Prokofiev, Frano Parać, Igor Stravinsky and others. Versatile British musician Martin Yates, admired not only in his home country but also abroad, as a symphonic, opera and ballet conductor, as well as a composer and arranger, will lead the ensembles and the audience through a grand orchestral and dance story – from the joyful A Midsummer Night’s Dream to the magical Sleeping Beauty and adventurous On the Town, culminating in the love story of Romeo and Juliet and the magic of The Firebird!
Croatian Radiotelevision Jazz Orchestra, led by their artistic director Miron Hauser, presents the music from the golden age of American big band orchestras – the period between the 20s and 40s of the last century, with a focus on the Swing Era. Big bands played in dance halls and clubs during this era when dancing was very popular. This period is remembered for its distinctive glamour and unrestrained surrender to the dance rhythms, as well as for the brilliant live performances of some of the greatest jazz musicians ever.
Rich harmonies, striking melodies, emphasized rhythm and energy, showcasing soloists and their virtuosity and the splendor of dance halls – all this is provided by well-renowned orchestras of Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman and Glenn Miller. Inspired by the “old” jazz of the 1920s during the Prohibition Era, which was lost with the rise of swing, Croatian Radiotelevision Jazz Orchestra trumpeter Marko Šolman revives a style that is rarely or never heard today. It is characterized by distinct phrasing in the parts, i.e. the usage of stride piano and the drummer’s radically different approach.
Experience an unforgettable Night of musicals with the brilliant performers from “Komedija” Zagreb City Theater! For decades, Zagreb locals have known that the “Zagreb Broadway” is located in Kaptol, in the sole Croatian theater specializing in executing the most demanding musical-theatrical form – the musical.
The performers from the “Komedija” Theater have prepared a concert to remember for this year’s Zagreb Classic, a spectacle filled with thrilling tales and remarkable music by both local and international composers. You will be moved by Beauty and the Beast, taken on a nostalgic journey by a song from the popular musical Cats and invited to the legendary Cabaret. You will get a chance to immerse yourself in the exquisite numbers from the Jalta, Jalta musical by the most renowned representative of Zagreb’s musical school – maestro Alfi Kabiljo.
The Zagreb Soloists, an ensemble that is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, was founded within Radio Zagreb under the artistic leadership of the renowned cellist Antonio Janigro.
Throughout seven decades, the Zagreb Soloists have maintained a high level of musical excellence and frequently perform as guests on prestigious concert stages around the world. They have been performing alongside violinist Sreten Krstić as their concert expert since 2012. They perform a repertoire ranging from the Baroque era to contemporary music, with a special emphasis on discovering less familiar works and younger generations of Croatian composers.
During this year’s Zagreb Classic open air festival, they will perform alongside two innovative and versatile musicians Matej Meštrović and Borna Šercar.
Matej Meštrović, both a pianist and a composer with a successful international career, does not limit his area of interest and activity solely to the stage. Therefore, he became a successful director, primarily creating enchanting films showcasing the beauties of Croatia, for which he has received numerous awards.
Percussionist Borna Šercar achieved a distinguished career in the field of classical, jazz and popular music and tried his hand as a composer of music for animated movies. His performances on an instrument made out of glass bottles – flashophones have also garnered attention throughout Europe and South America. He also enjoys painting and writing poetry.
Italian virtuoso Mario Stefano Pietrodarchi began his musical education at the age of nine, initially playing the accordion and later also learning the bandoneon. He graduated with the highest grades at the Santa Cecilia Conservatory of Music in Rome.
This brilliant musician of refined musicality has won numerous domestic and international competitions. He has performed with many acclaimed orchestras and has collaborated with prominent musicians, including Andrea Bocelli, Anna Netrebko, Erwin Schrott, Riccardo Cocciante, Pino Daniele and many others.
Apart from Italy, he held concerts in England, France, Belgium, Denmark, Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Germany, the USA, Poland, Portugal, Finland, Switzerland, Canada, Armenia, Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Turkey, Israel and China.
Soprano Caterina Iora graduated in opera singing under the guidance of Margaret Hayward at the Giuseppe Verdi Conservatory in Milan. She obtained her master’s degree with honors under the tutelage of Luciano Pavarotti and further refined her skills with Luciana Serra and Dante Mazzola (classical and romantic repertoire) as well as Roberta Invernizzi (Baroque repertoire).
Prior to focusing on Baroque music, she sang in the choruses of Italy’s most prestigious opera houses. She regularly collaborates with renowned ensembles and has performed at many significant music festivals. She has held numerous notable concerts in Italy and abroad, including performances at the Berlin Philharmonie, Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Esterházy Palace in Eisenstadt, the international MITO Settembre Musica Festival, the Utrecht Early Music Festival, the Festival de Sablé for Baroque Music, the George Enescu Festival, the Pergolesi Spontini Festival, Göttingen International Handel Festival and more.
The Zagreb Philharmonic is an orchestra with a 150-year tradition of excellence in music-making in Zagreb and Croatia. It is a promoter of musical arts throughout Croatia and a cultural ambassador of Croatia in the world. Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra is a symbol of the city in which it operates, the music institution representing the urban image of Zagreb as a central hub of music, art and culture in Central Europe.
In 1871, professional orchestral-concert activity began in Zagreb, and in 1920, the orchestra got the name it still bears today. Throughout its history, it has brought the finest classical music to the Croatian capital and its story has been written by first-rate chief conductors: Friedrich Zaun, Milan Horvat, Lovro von Matačić, Mladen Bašić, Pavle Dešpalj, Kazushi Ono, Pavel Kogan, Alexander Rahbari, Vjekoslav Šutej and in the last decade, David Danzmayr and the newly appointed Dawid Runtz.
Many great conductors and prominent Croatian and international artists have performed with the Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra up to the present day.
The Decadance dance performance is a contemporary dance exploration created as a collage of excerpts from earlier choreographies by Ohad Naharin, one of the world’s most prominent choreographers known for his unique stage language. He has led the renowned Batsheva Dance Company in Tel Aviv, Israel, for many years.
Naharin is the creator of the Gaga movement language and his works are performed by artistically and technically acclaimed dance companies worldwide. This recognition extends to the Ballet of the Croatian National Theater in Zagreb, which has been impressing audiences and receiving standing ovations since the premiere of Decadance.
On a warm summer night in the enchanting atmosphere of King Tomislav Square, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a unique blend of dance theater and dance performance, impressive choreographies by soloists and the ensemble, delightful and irresistibly entertaining dance duets, a witty interactive performance with the audience and much more, all packed into just seventy short minutes.
Photo credit: Mara Bratoš
Concerts and guest performances by the Cameristi della Scala ensemble, composed of artists from the renowned Milanese opera house Teatro alla Scala, are often described as unforgettable. The ensemble was founded in 1982 and has since performed in the most prestigious concert venues worldwide, including Italy, France, Germany, Spain, Poland, China, Russia, Argentina, Israel, the United States and beyond.
The ensemble performs a wide musical repertoire, spanning from the 18th century to the era of contemporary music. The ensemble received numerous international awards.
Massimo Polidori, whom the renowned conductor Riccardo Muti appointed as the principal cellist of the Milanese Scala in 2000, will perform at this year’s concert in Zagreb. This musician is particularly dedicated to chamber music and the development of the chamber music repertoire.
From 1995 to 2000 he was the principal cellist of the Camerata Bern ensemble, with which he held concerts all around the world alongside top musicians such as András Schiff, Heinz Holliger, Peter Serkin, Ana Chumachenco and Thomas Zehetmair. He is also the founder of the Johannes Trio, with which he regularly performs in Italy and abroad.
In the final concert evening of this year’s Zagreb Classic open air festival, soprano Marija Kuhar Šoša, baritone Ljubomir Puškarić and the “Zvjezdice” Girls’ Choir will perform with the Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra led by the conductor Paolo Spadaro Munitto.
Marija Kuhar Šoša graduated from the Academy of Music in Zagreb, where she studied music and solo singing under the guidance of Professor Lidija Horvat Dunjko. She further refined her skills under the tutelage of KS Olivera Miljaković. She has won numerous awards and has performed with various Croatian and international orchestras and conductors. She has given a series of notable recitals in Croatia and abroad, and in addition to her opera and concert repertoire, she also cultivates chamber music.
She has been a member of the Croatian National Theater in Zagreb since 2004, where she has performed numerous roles. She has also been a guest in opera productions in Italy, Germany and Spain. She is also engaged in pedagogical work at the Academy of Music in Zagreb.
Ljubomir Puškarić was born in Zagreb, where he began his basic music and singing education. He attended private lessons with Darija Hreljanović and later with Vitomir Marof. After attending the Pavao Markovac Music School, where he studied singing with professor Nataša Šurina, he pursued a degree in solo singing at the Academy of Music in Zagreb, under the guidance of Professor Vlatka Oršanić.
He completed the Performer Diploma program at Indiana University in Bloomington, studying under the guidance of Professor Robert Harrison. He has been a member of the Opera of the Croatian National Theater in Zagreb since 2015. In addition to his performances in his home country, he has held numerous notable performances throughout Europe and the United States. He has collaborated with many renowned Croatian and international orchestras. He is the winner of many awards.
Conductor, harpsichordist and pianist, Paolo Spadaro Munitto is Principal Conductor of the Jerusalem Lyric Opera Festival since the 2021-22 season and first level Maestro di sala (Repetiteur and Musical assistant) at Teatro alla Scala in Milan since 2002. He regularly collaborates with theatres, festivals and orchestras at an international level, including Teatro alla Scala in Milan, Fondazione Arena di Verona, Dresdner Philharmonie, Cameristi della Scala, Festival dei due Mondi in Spoleto, Rossini Opera Festival in Pesaro, Orchestra of the National Opera House in Zagreb, Tiroler Festspiele Erl in Austria, Jerusalem Symphony orchestra, Alden Biesen Zomeropera in Belgium, Orchestra of the Accademia della Scala, Milano classica Orchestra, Opera Giocosa in Savona… Ranging from the Baroque to contemporary music, he is at home in the operatic and symphonic repertoire. He is also an appreciated teacher: since 2005, he has been teaching master courses at the Accademia del Teatro alla Scala, as well as being regularly invited to hold masterclasses on Italian opera and to take part in the juries of important international competitions.
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