Rossi fest Belgrade

concert at Raša Plaović Stage of the National Theatre in Belgrade, where the participants presented the programe they were working on during the previous days of the Masterclass. 28. january 2018 The final concert of the Opera singing masterclass Raša Plaović Stage of the National Theatre in Belgrade 28. January 2018 Part of the program of the last day of Rossi Fest 2018 was a concert at Raša Plaović Stage of the National Theatre in Belgrade, where the participants presented the program they were working on during the previous days of the Masterclass, followed by candidates` receiving of Certificates of their participation in the Masterclass. The accompanist at the concert was an official repetiteur of the Opera of the National Theatre in Belgrade, Srđan Jaraković. 1/3

Program i učesnici festivala iz 2018. Koncert ansambla Profeti della Quinta; Majstorski kurs solo pevanja: Olga Makarina; Portreti i sećanja; Konkurs za mlade kompozitore; Hor Adi, Hor Hašira, Koncert Kol haOlam kulo i gala koncert POČETNA O FESTIVALU ARHIVA PRES KONTAKT Prva edicija festivala Od 25. do 28. januara 2018. godine održana je dugo planirana i očekivana prva edicija muzičkog festivala Rossi fest , koji je ispirisan stvaralaštvom eminentnog kompozitora, Salamona Rosija (1570-1650), italijanskog Jevrejina čiji je opus jedinstven po sintezi Istoka i Zapada, odnosno kasne renesansne/ranobarokne muzike zapadne Evrope i jevrejskih tradicionalnih i sinagogalnih tekstova. Rosijevo stvaralašvo poručuje da, ma koliko elementi jedne umetničke celine delovali raznorodno ili čak kontradiktorno, oni mogu tvoriti savršeno harmoničnu celinu ukoliko se tom putu prilazi sa puno ljubavi, razumevanja i tolerancije. Naš festival nosi upravo njegovo ime, simbolično predstavljajući uzvišene ciljeve koji se tiču razvijanja duha tolerancije, međusobnog uvažavanja i poverenja. Direktor festivala, Stefan Zekić Nakon dugog perioda pažljivog osmišljavanja, organizacije i skupljanja resursa, održan je prvi Rosi fest, čiji je četvorodnevni program obuhvatao šest raznovrsnih koncerata, majstorske kurseve eminentnih stručnjaka i afirmisanih umetnika, konkurs za mlade kompozitore, kao i predavanje o Salamonu Rosiju uvaženog muzikologa i profesora Fakulteta muzičke umetnosti u Beogradu, dr Ane Stefanović. Koncertom Pesme Salomonove u izvođenju nagrađivanog ansambla Profeti della Quinta koji je prvu put nastupio u ovom regionu, u svečanom ambijentu Skupštine grada Beograda, otvorena je prva edicija Rosi festa, a na programu se se našle kompozicije Salomona Rosija, ali i Elama Rotema, umetničkog rukovodioca ovog vokalnog ansambla, koje su prvi put izvedene na našim prostorima. Profeti della Quinta spadaju u sam vrh klasične scene kada je reč o ranoj muzici. Do njih je zaista teško doći i može se smatrati ambicioznim poduhvatom da baš oni gostuju na prvom Rosi festu, ali sam smatrao da ne postoji ansambl koji bi na bolji način otvorio prvi Rosi fest od onog koji je specijalizovan upravo za muziku Salamona Rosija, sa izdatim kompakt diskom njegovih dela i učešćem u sjajnom dokumentarnom filmu o Rosiju, Jozefa Rošlica. Pored beogradske publike, prvog dana festivala i novosadska publika je imala priliku da uživa u koncertu sa programa Rosi festa - Jevrejska muzika širom sveta , Omladinskog hora Adi iz Jerusalima, održanom u Novosadskoj sinagogi. Ovaj hor, kao dragi gost festivala, nastupio je i na koncertu sa nazivom Kol ha'olam kulo , simbolčnog programa, zajedno sa horom Hašira iz Novog Sada i beogradskim horom Braća Baruh , a dirigent hora Adi , profesor Akademije za muziku i ples u Jeusalimu, Oded Šomroni, održao je mladim dirigentima dvodnevni majstorski kurs horskog dirigovanja, u okviru kojeg su učesnici imali individualne sesije sa maestrom, ali i jedinstvenu priliku da diriguju horom Adi . U programu festivala posebno je istaknut majstorski kurs operskog pevanja čuvenog soprana Metropolitan opere, Olge Makarine. Jedanaest mladih operskih pevača imalo je priliku da tri dana radi na usavršavanju svog pevanja sa ovim vrhunskim sopranom na individualnim sesijama koje su bile propraćene i zapaženim brojem pasivnih učesnika, u sjajnom prostoru Muzeja Narodnog pozorišta u Beogradu, uz profesionalnu saradnju operskog korepetitora Narodnog pozorišta, Srđana Jarakovića. Četvrtog dana majstorskog kursa na sceni Raša Plaović Narodnog pozorišta u Beogradu održan završni koncert polaznika majstorskog kursa, na kojem su učesnici predstavili rezultate svog rada sa gospođom Makarinom, nakon čega su im dodeljeni sertifikati o učešću. I sam kao pevač i dirigent u Narodnom pozorištu imao sam priliku da radim sa mnogim mladim operskim umetnicima i steknem uvid u značaj usavršavanja na vrhunskom nivou, naročito na početku operske karijere. Upravo iz tog razloga, želeo sam da mladim operskim pevačima pružimo priliku da rade i slušaju časove ovog vrhunskog soprana i pedagoga, sa kojom inače rade studenti najprestižnijih muzičkih institucija, a veoma mi je drago što je kurs bio dobro propraćen i što su se u publici kursa našli i drugi učenici i studenti pevanja, ali i nastavnici i profesori fakulteta, pa i prvaci našeg pozorišta. Pevači su bili prezadovoljni radom sa Olgom, a naročito mi je drago što i će im sam rad sa njom biti naročito značajna referenca u profesionalnim biografijama. Možda i najznačajniji deo programa Rosi festa, koji planiramo da zadržimo na svakoj ediciji festivala, jeste Konkurs za mlade kompozitore sa nazivom Portreti i sećanja , čija se tema odnosi na sećanja o stradanjima za vreme Drugog svetskog rata, a održava se svakog 27. januara, na Svetski dan sećanja na žrtve Holokausta, te mladi kompozitori imaju priliku da daju svoj doprinos svetskoj kulturnoj baštini u oblasti očuvanja sećanja na žrtve Holokausta, ali i odavanja počasti onima koji su mu se suprotstavili. Cilj ovog koncepta je da se putem angažovanja mladih, talentovanih umetnika najrazličitijih profila i nacionalnosti podigne svest o neophodnosti promovisanja edukacije, istraživanja, sećanja i govora o Holokaustu na najvišem umetničkom nivou, te u ovom segmentu Rosi fest naročito produbljuje jedan od svojih osnovnih ciljeva, a to je razvijanje duha tolerancije, međusobnog uvažavanja i poverenja. Takođe, nastoji se da se tematikom kojom se konkurs, kao i sam festival, bavi, podstaknu mladi umetnici, ali i publika festivala, u daljem nastojanju da se bave istraživanjem događaja, literarnih i drugih dela vezanih za tematiku Holokausta, dok će njihova umetnička dela nastala ovom prilikom postati sastavni deo svetske umetničke baštine, ali i repertoara učesnika festivala iz svih zemalja, te će preko proširene programske osnove, umetnici i dalje aktivno nastaviti da čuvaju sećanje na ovaj strašan deo ljudske istorije i nakon završetka festivala. Rossi fest ovakvim načinom delovanja preuzima značajnu ulogu u baštinjenju kulturne svesti o Holokaustu i stvara novu kulturnu sferu u umetničkoj praksi budućih pokoljenja. 25. januar 2018. 20:00 Svečana sala Skupštine grada SVEČANO OTVARANJE FESTIVALA I KONCERT ANSAMBLA PROFETI DELLA QUINTA (Bazel, Švajcarska) Umetnički rukovodilac: Elam Rotem 20:00 Novosadska Sinagoga KONCERT HORA ADI (Izrael) Umetnički rukovodilac: Oded Šomroni (Izrael) 26. januar 2018. 10:00 - 16:00 Muzej Narodnog pozorišta MAJSTORSKI KURS OPERSKOG PEVANJA SA DIVOM OLGOM MAKARINOM Srđan Jaraković, pijanista 10:00-14:00 Jevrejska opština Beograd MAJSTORSKI KURS HORSKOG DIRIGOVANJA SA DIRIGENTOM ODEDOM ŠOMRONIJEM (Akademija za ples i muziku, Jerusalim, Izrael) 18:00 Galerija Jevrejske opštine Beograd PREDAVANJE Prof. Ane Stefanović Sinteza zapadnoevropske i jevrejske muzičke / literarne / religijske tradicije: transepohalni dijalozi ova dva kulturna obrasca kroz njihove diskurse, tekstove i dela 20:00 Svečana sale Jevrejske opštine Beograd KONCERT HORSKE MUZIKE KOL HAOLAM KULO Izvođači: Ansambl Adi (Izrael) Hor Braća Baruh (Beograd) Hor Hašira (Novi Sad) 27. januar 2018. 10:00 - 16:00 Muzej Narodnog pozorišta MAJSTORSKI KURS OPERSKOG PEVANJA SA DIVOM OLGOM MAKARINOM 10:00-14:00 Jevrejska opština Beograd MAJSTORSKI KURS HORSKOG DIRIGOVANJA SA DIRIGENTOM ODEDOM ŠOMRONIJEM 20:30 Svečana sala Jevrejske opštine Beograd KONCERT PORTRETI I SEĆANJA Dela mladih kompozitora sa istoimenog konkursa. Učesnici: Jevrejski kamerni orkestar Hor Braća Baruh Vokalni i instrumentalni solisti (Ladislav Mezei, Rona Israel, Yael Sayag...) 28. januar 2018. 12:00 Velika scena Narodnog pozorišta SVEČANO ZATVARANJE FESTIVALA I GALA KONCERT Izvođači: Profeti della Quinta (Švajcarska) Ansambl Adi (Izrael) Hor Braća Baruh (Beograd) Hor Hašira (Novi Sad) Jevrejski kamerni orkestar (Beograd) Vokalni solisti: Yael Sayag, sopran (IL) Rona Israel, sopran (IL) Shai Terry, mezzo sopran (IL) Dror Jacob Schafer, tenor (IL) Christian Wagner, bariton (GER) Aleksandra Jovanović, sopran (SRB) Iva Profaca, mecosporan (SRB) Roberto Jakini, tenor (ITA) Vuk Zekić, bariton (SRB) 17:00 Scena Raša Plaović , Narodno pozorište KONCERT POLAZNIKA MAJSTORSKOG KURSA OPERSKOG PEVANJA Na prvom konkursu Umetnički savet festivala odabrao je dela petoro mladih i izrazito talentovanih kompozitora, pisana za različite sastave: Psalm za solo sopran Damjana Jovičina, Nivana za mešoviti hor Juga Markovića, Porcelan za ženski hor i gudački kvintet Tamar Šalit, Slike sećanja iz Dunavske ulice za sopran, violinu i klavir, Vladice Mikićević i Pugna interior za gudački orkestar Stefana Naerca, koja su izvedena zajedno sa delima evropskih kompozitora XIX i XX kao što su Sergej Prokofjev i Luis Levandovski, ali i srpskih kompozitora - Aleksandra Vujića, Aleksandra Simića i Rafaila Blama, na koncertu sa nazivom Portreti i sećanja , održanom specifičnoj atmosferi pod svećama u sali Jevrejske opštine Beograd. Naročito mi je drago što smo prvim festivalom započeli tradiciju ovakvog tematskog konkursa za kompozitore, a u narednim edicijama faestivala nameravamo da platformu konkursa još više proširimo. Samo nekoliko meseci nakon festivala dobijamo vesti da ovi mladi ljudi dobijaju nagrade, a njihova dela su primljena i na druge internacionalne festivale i veoma sam srećan što će se Rosi fest naći u njihovim biografijama, ali i njihova imena u istoriji Rosi festa. Nakon četiri dana intenzivnog i raznovrsnog programa, na Velikoj sceni pune sale Narodnog pozorištu u Beogradu održano je svečano zatvaranje festivala - Gala koncert , kao i dodela povelja Kneset , na kojem je publika imala priliku da čuje najlepše operske arije, ansamble i horske numere u izvođenju solista iz Iraela, Srbije i Amerike, horova Braća Baruh i Adi i Jevrejskog kamernog orkestra iz Beograda, a koncertom su dirigovali Oded Šomroni (Izrael), Mark Voloh (Izrael) i Stefan Zekić (Srbija). Želeli smo da obogatimo kulturnu ponudu Beograda i Srbije muzičkim festivalom jedinstvenim po temi u ovom delu Evrope, a namera nam je da se nađemo među budućim liderima kulturnih manifestacija u zemlji i regionu. Prva edicija festivala organizovana je zahvaljujući podršci organizacija i institucija koje su prepoznale vrednost jednog ovakvog festivala, a nadamo se da će sada, kada su postavljeni temelji prvom, druga edicija naići na još širu podršku. Pripreme za sledeći festival su uveliko u toku, a naredna edicija doneće nove zanimljive goste, širi spektar predavanja i majstorskih kurseva, kao i specijalne nagrade kao podsticaj za mlade operske pevače i kompozitore. OPENING CEREMONY AND CONCERT OF THE ENSEMBLE PROFETI DELLA QUINTA The first edition of Rossi fest was opened with the concert, named The Songs of Solomon, of the amazing ensemble Profeti della Quinta, famous for their interpretation of Rossi`s music. The concert was held in the beautiful hall of the Assembly of the City of Belgrade, where the audience could hear premiere performances of Rossi`s, as well as Elam Rotem`s pieces. More info ADI CHOIR CONCERT "JEWISH MUSIC FROM ALL AROUND THE WORLD" Along with the Belgrade audience, the Novi Sad audience had the opportunity to enjoy one of the concerts from Rossi Fest 2018 Program - a concert by Adi Young Israeli Choir, called Jewish music from all around the world, held in the wonderful Synagogue of Novi Sad. More info OPERA SINGING MASTERCLASS WITH OLGA MAKARINA A special place in Rossi fest program goes to Opera singing masterclass and the honor to host a renowned soprano from Metropolitan Opera, Ms. Olga Makarina. Selected candidates had a three-day sessions with Ms. Makarina in the Museum of the National Theatre in Belgrade, as well as the Final concert of masterclass on the Raša Plaovic stage of the National Theatre in Belgrade, both accompanied by the official National theatre repetiteur, Srđan Jaraković. More info CHORAL CONDUCTING MASTERCLASS WITH ODED SHOMRONY We are very happy that maestro Oded Shomrony gave a two-day masterclass in choral conducting at Rossi fest 2018, with two different sessions - individual sessions with maestro Shomrony intended for young conductors, students of conducting, but also students of secondary music schools who want to engage in conducting; whereas the second session - conducting Adi Chor, was intended exclusively for experienced students of conducting and young conductors. More info LECTURE "THE WORK OF SALAMON ROSSI IN THE EVE OF MUSICAL MODERNITY" Prof. Ane Stefanović Member of Rossi fest's Artisti Committee, distinguished musicologist and full-time professor at the Faculty ofMusic, Belgrade, dr Ana Stefanović, gave an interesting lecture The Work of Salomone Rossi on the Eve of Musical Modernity at the Jewish Community hall in Belgrade. More info CONCERT KOL HAOLAM KULO On the second day of the festival, a concert named Kol ha'olam kulo was held in Concert hall of the Jewish Community Belgrade. The participants of this concert were three choirs: Adi Youth Choir (Jerusalem), Choir Hashira (Novi Sad) and Baruch Brother Choir (Belgrade). More info CONCERT "PORTRAITS AND REMEMBRANCE" On of the most important parts of Rossi Fest program is a concert Portraits and Remembrance, organised for the occasion of marking the Holocaust Remembrance Day, in the Hall of Jewish Community Belgrade. The concert was preceded by an Open call for young composers, with the same name, where the works of five young composers - Damjan Jovičin (BIH / SRB), Jug Konstantin Marković (SRB), Tamar Melanie Shalit (ISR), Stefan Naerac (SRB) and Vladica Mikićević (SRB) - were chosen for Rossi Fest 2018 Program. The program of the Portraits and Remembrance Concert consisted of works contemporary Serbian composers` works, such as such as Aleksandar Vujić, Aleksandar Simić and Rafailo Blam, as well as the works of XIX and XX century European composers, such as Sergei Prokofiev and Louis Lewandowski, which were inspired by or written on Jewish themes. The concert was organised in cooperation with the following participants: Jewish Chamber Orchestra, Baruch Brothers Choir, Laidslav Mezei (Vcl), Duško Nikolić (Vl), Marko Kovač (Pf), Nikola Đurica (Cl), sopranos - Milena Damnjanović and Mina Gligorić, tenor Roberto Jachini, and conductors - Stefan Zekić, Dijana Cvetković and Đorđe Perović. More info FINAL CONCERT OF OPERA SINGING MASTERCLASS Part of the program of the last day Rossi Fest 2018 was a concert on Raša Plaović Stage of the National Theatre in Belgrade, where the participants presented the programme they were working on during the previous days of the Masterclass, followed by candidates` receiving of Certificates for their participation in the Masterclass. The accompanist at the concert was an official repetiteur of the Opera of the National Theatre in Belgrade, Srđan Jaraković. More info FESTIVAL CLOSING AND GALA CONCERT Rossi Fest 2018 was officially closed with a Gala Concert and a ceremony of assignment of Knesset awards on the Main stage of the National Theatre in Belgrade. The audience had the opportunity to hear famous opera arias, duets, ouvertures and choir numbers, interpreted by the soloists from Israel, America and Serbia; ensembles Adi, Baruch Brothers and Jewish Chamber Orchestra and conductors Oded Shomrony, Mark Voloch and Stefan Zekić. More info

Program and participants of the third edition of the festival that will be held between 25. - 29. January 2022. The fifth edition of Rossi Fest 25 - 29 January 2022 At the end of January 2022, the fifth edition of the Rossi Festa festival was held. The Belgrade audience had the opportunity to enjoy a diverse program with excellent foreign and domestic artists, in the National Museum and the National Theater in Belgrade. The opening of the festival, on January 25, was marked by a kind of music exhibition in the Atrium of the National Museum, with a contemporary concert - Baroque Music Exhibition. Among the performers were the chamber ensemble of the oldest Jewish choir in the world - Braća Baruch, chamber instrumental ensemble, as well as eminent soloists - Aleksandra Jovanović (soprano), prof. Ladislav Mezei (cello) and assistant. Stefan Zekić (conductor, baritone). An attractive and varied program composed of carefully selected compositions by Rossi, Monteverdi, Loti, Lidarti, Handel and other relevant baroque composers, was performed under the direction of Ana Grigorović. At the traditional and unique concert for this festival, Portraits and Remembrance, on the YouTube channel of the festival on January 27, the works of young composers selected in the eastern competition by the artistic council of the festival were broadcasted. The theme of the competition aims to interpret and maintain the memory of events and personalities in the context of the Holocaust, through new works of classical music. In past years, the festival had a surprisingly good response and received applications, presented and promoted works by composers from all over the world, and this year excellent works by seven young composers from five countries were performed: Otto Vanke (Czech Republic), Jorge Andres (USA), Carmel Curiel ( Israel), Marko Karanfilovski (Serbia), Gil Dory (Israel), Chesney Palmer (South Africa) and Pavel Nesit (Czech Republic). As the part of the festival program is dedicated to scientific research, Dr. Ana Stefanović, our distinguished musician and professor at the Faculty of Music of the University of Arts in Belgrade, held a lecture on the topic - The Story of Esther in Genre Interpretations of Musical Baroque - at the Museum of the National Theater on January 28. At the concert Inspiration for Violin and Harp , interpreted by Duo Edit, a wide range of programs in an arrangement for this unusual instrumental ensemble - from well-known works of classical music to musicals, were performed on the stage of Raša Plaović. The festival was organized with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Information, the Jewish Municipality of Belgrade, SOKOJ, the Embassy of Israel, the Italian Institute for Culture, and private donors. Program 2022 January 25, Tuesday Atrium of the National Museum 20:30 Concert: Baroque music exhibition Opening of the festival January 27, Thursday Online concert: YouTube channel Rosi Fest, 8 p.m. (GMT +1) Concert: Portraits and Remembrance Concert of finalists, selected at the international competition for young composers of the same name, dedicated to the International Holocaust Day January 28, Friday Museum of the National Theater 18:00 Lecture by Dr. Ana Stefanović: The Story of Esther in Genre Interpretations of Musical Baroque National Theater, stage Raša Plaović 20:00 Duo Edit Concert: Inspirations for violin and harp January 29, Saturday Atrium of the National Museum 20:30 Concert of the Vocal ensemble Elinor (Slovenia) Baroque music exhibition The story of Ester Portraits and remembrance Inspirations for violin and harp

The 7th Edition of Rosi Fest January 27 – February 6, 2025, in Belgrade At the end of January, Belgrade audiences can look forward to the 7th edition of the international Rosi Fest. From January 27 to February 6, 2025, the festival will feature various programs showcasing outstanding international and local artists. Events will take place at the Ceremonial Hall of the Jewish Community, Dorćol Platz, and the Little Bay restaurant in Belgrade. The eight edition of Rossi Fest January 27 - February 6, 2025, Belgrade Music as the Language of Dialogue and Unity Music, as one of the oldest forms of communication, transcending spoken languages and time, connects diverse cultures and generations. It reminds us of the possibility of a shared space where communication and understanding occur on the most subtle level. This is also the central theme of this year’s edition of the International Rosi Festival, titled Dialogue and Unity . Following this idea, all festival events will explore, on various levels, the concept of dialogue that connects—between composer and audience, performer and listener, tradition and modernity, and even between different senses. The festival opens on Monday, January 27, at 8 PM in the ceremonial hall of the Jewish Community of Belgrade with the traditional concert Portraits and Remembrance . This program will feature thematically composed works by young composers and will mark International Holocaust Remembrance Day. This year’s selected works include compositions by Kristopher Magnuson (USA), Martin Lordian (France), and Mark Wolf (Australia), with Bojana Radovanović Šuput , a musicologist from the SANU Institute, serving as the concert moderator. Admission to this concert is free, but reservations are required via email at contact@rossifest.org. On Monday, February 3, the program will feature an extraordinary concert and event titled Dialogue of Tastes. Set in the unique operatic interior of the “Little Bay” restaurant, this event will play with the interplay and dialogue between the senses. A carefully curated menu will accompany a recital of Bach’s Fantasias, performed by the renowned French harpsichordist of Serbian origin, Željko Drion-Manić . Through the thoughtful curation of the event, audience members will be encouraged, during the intervals between musical segments and courses of the menu, to engage in inspiring dialogue and share their impressions of the performances. Reservations and tickets for this event are available at the restaurant, Dositejeva 9a. The reservation fee, which includes the concert and a set menu of two appetizers, a main course, and dessert, is 4,000 dinars. The festival concludes with a vibrant and spirited klezmer concert, Rossi's Open Bar in the urban ambiance of Dorćol Platz on February 6, starting at 8 PM. By blending classical sounds with a club-like atmosphere, the audience will experience an exciting shift in the boundaries of classical music. The concerts will feature members of the Jewish Chamber Orchestra and the Baruch Brothers Choir , as well as prominent local vocal and instrumental soloists, under the direction of Ana Grigorović and the baton of conductor Stefan Zekić. Tickets for this concert, priced at 400 dinars, can be purchased at Dorćol Platz just before the event, with prior reservations required via email at contact@rossifest.org. The program is supported by the Jewish Community of Belgrade, the Embassy of Israel in Serbia, Dorćol Platz, and the festival’s longstanding friends. Welcome! Program 2025 January 27, Monday 20:00 Concert: Portraits and Remembrance "Dialogue with History: Voices, Words, Sounds" Jewish Community of Belgrade, Kralja Petra 71a February 3, Monday 20:00 Concert: Dialogue of Tastes Program: Johann Sebastian Bach Restaurant Little Bay Dositejeva 9a February 6, Thursday 18:00 Concert: Rossi's Open Bar Program: Traditional and klezmer music Dorćol Platz Dobračina 59 Portraits and Remembrance Dialogue of Tastes Rossi's Open Bar

The closing concert of this year’s edition of the Rosi Festival promises an explosion of energy and emotion through the vibrant klezmer style. With a unique blend of classical tones and an unconventional club-like ambiance, this concert offers the audience an authentic experience that blurs the boundaries between traditional and modern music. Concert: Rossi's Open Bar Dorćol Platz, Belgrade February 6, 2025, at 8 PM The closing concert of this year’s edition of the Rosi Festival promises an explosion of energy and emotion through the vibrant klezmer style. With a unique blend of classical tones and an unconventional club-like ambiance, this concert offers the audience an authentic experience that blurs the boundaries between traditional and modern music. On stage, members of the Jewish Chamber Orchestra and the Braća Baruh Choir will perform alongside renowned local soloists. The event is directed by Ana Grigorović, with Stefan Zekić conducting. What to Expect: A dynamic and lively interpretation of klezmer music. The authentic ambiance of Dorćol Platz, merges art and unity. A synergy between performers and the audience, inspired by music that celebrates joy and togetherness. Tickets for this concert, priced at 400rsd, can be purchased at Dorćol Platz just before the event, with prior reservations required via email at contact@rossifest.org . Program: Overture on Hebrew Themes, Op. 34 Sergei Prokofiev (1891–1953) Traditional Klezmer Melodies arranged by Nikola Đurica: Frailach No. 5 (Happy Song) Yankelle Traditional Yiddish Melody Zaydn's Tants (Grandfather’s Dance) Kiever Sher (Sher – a traditional song form) Pizzikati (A famous Sephardic melody) Oblivion Astor Piazzolla (1921–1992) Arr. Nikola Đurica Clarinet Quintet Ante Grgin (1945–) Choral Pieces arranged by Joshua Jacobson: Sholem; Alle brider Rad Halaila; Zemer lakh Hey Harmonica; Maim, Maim Go Down Moses arr. Jelena Zekić Performers: Nikola Đurica – Clarinet Mina Mendelson – Violin Staša Žikić – Violin Lazar Miletić – Viola Ladislav Mezei – Cello Boban Stošić – Double Bass Vanja Šćepanović – Piano Nada Matijević – Piano Aleksandar Radulović – Percussion Baruh Brothers Choir Stefan Zekić - Conductor Nikola Đurica, klarinet When he first heard and saw a clarinet as a five-year-old, he said, "I want to play that!" At the age of ten, he enrolled in the "Davorin Jenko" Music School in Belgrade and began playing the instrument that would guide him through life. In April 2003, he became the laureate of Serbia and retained that title in the following years. The next year, he received the "Belgrade Angel" award. As a soloist and as a member of various ensembles, he has performed in numerous competitions in Italy, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Spain, and Serbia. Between 2003 and 2006, he won 14 special awards (100 out of 100 points) and 9 first prizes. As a member of a duet, he received 4 special awards and one first prize at the National Competition. As a member of the clarinet quartet "Nevski," he won 6 special awards. As the youngest member of the "Nevski" quartet, he performed in Moscow at the "Serbia 05" exhibition, representing Serbian culture and music. Nikola recorded a music video for Radio Television Serbia and performed as a guest on numerous radio shows. At the age of fourteen, the Ministry of Education and Sports of the Republic of Serbia awarded him the "Saint Sava Award." The following year, he became one of the youngest musicians to perform a solo concert at the prestigious 38th BEMUS festival in Serbia. In addition to his formal education, he gained experience by performing at international chamber music festivals in Prague (for nine consecutive years), Italy (Amalfi Coast), and Madrid in 2006. In September, at just under 15 years old, he moved to the United States to continue high school at the prestigious Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan. In 2007, with the "EMCY" organization, he toured five cities in Austria and Germany as a soloist and a member of a chamber ensemble. In 2008, Nikola opened the "Passau Music Festival" in Passau, Germany. During his fourth year at the Interlochen Arts Academy, he was invited by the Government of the Republic of Serbia to receive a new passport, having been selected as the "New Face of Serbia"—one of the most successful Serbians in his field. After graduating from high school (IAA) with top honors, Nikola continued his studies with Professor Franklin Cohen at the Cleveland Institute of Music in Ohio. In his first year in Cleveland, he won the International "Milhaud" competition as the youngest participant. As the winner of the "Concerto Competition" at his academy, Nikola premiered a work by Serbian composer Ante Grgin, with whom he developed a deep admiration for his music. In the summer of 2011, Nikola was invited to perform as a soloist with the Czech Philharmonic at the prestigious "66th Prague Spring Festival." After Prague, he competed at the international competition in Ohrid, where he won First Prize as the youngest competitor in his category. He frequently performs solo concerts at the Belgrade City Assembly, collaborating with international musicians. In 2012, he performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., as one of the most successful students representing his conservatory. In the summer of 2012, Nikola became a professor at the international chamber music festival in Prague, AMEROPA. That same year, he won the Concertante Competition and performed as a soloist with the "Camerata Filarmonica Bohemia" at the Rudolfinum, in the Dvořák Hall of the Czech Philharmonic. During his studies in Cleveland, Nikola was a member of the improvisation ensemble "Contranuities Quartet," a group he founded. This quartet was dedicated to connecting people through diverse musical genres and cultures. At the age of 21, Nikola graduated with top grades and continued his journey to Japan, where he spent two months traveling and performing across the country. Upon his return to Belgrade, he formed the duo "Gitarinet" with his childhood friend and guitarist colleague, Mirko Dimitrijević. "Gitarinet" won the RTS television show "The Best Orchestra of Serbia." Since November 2016, Nikola has been a significant member of the jazz improvisation orchestra "Stegreif" in Berlin, Germany. As the leader of the woodwinds in this chamber orchestra, Nikola has performed in dozens of concert tours year after year. From 2021 to 2023, he became the orchestra's Musical Director, composing, leading, and organizing rehearsals, with five premieres in just two years and over 50 masterclasses. He also became one of the founders of a chamber music festival in Louisville, Kentucky, USA, where he has been a regular performer for four consecutive years. He is currently working on an original album with his ensemble "Gitarinet" and frequently conducts masterclasses and seminars on chamber music and jazz improvisation.

In the museum of the National Theater, on January 29, as part of the scientific part of the festival in this edition, Rossi Fest has the honor of hosting a musicologist from the Academy of Music in Zagreb, Ivan Ćurković, with the theme of War and Peace in G. F. Handel's oratorios. Lecture On January 29, within the scientific segment of the festival's current edition, Rossi Fest proudly hosted a musicologist from the Academy of Music in Zagreb, Ivan Ćurković, at the National Theater Museum. The distinguished guest delved into the captivating theme of "War and Peace in G. F. Handel's oratorios," captivating the audience with his insights and expertise. Dr. sc. Ivan Ćurković was born in Novi Sad in 1980. He graduated from the University of Zagreb in musicology at the Academy of Music (2005) and comparative literature and Hungarian studies at the Faculty of Philosophy (2007). He is pursuing his doctoral studies at the Institute of Musicology of the Faculty of Philosophy of the University of Heidelberg, where he obtained the title of Doctor of Science in 2017 with a dissertation titled The Vocal Duet and G. F. Handel's Italian Contemporaries. An Attempt at a Comparison. Since 2007, he has been employed at the Department of Musicology of the Academy of Music, University of Zagreb, since 2023 as an associate professor. In the period 2018-2021, he held the position of head of the Department of Musicology. He is a participant in several scientific conferences in the country and abroad, and he was also the president of the program and organizational committee of the international scientific conference Musicology and Its Future in Times of Crises organized on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Department of Musicology of the Academy of Music in 2020, and a member of the organizational committee of the scientific conference The Blasphemous in Music in Sound held at the Department of Musicology in 2023. He is the author of the monograph The Vocal Duets of G. F. Handel and His Italian Contemporaries (1706-1724), several scientific and professional articles as well as music and theater criticism, and he also works as a part-time associate of the Lexicographic Institute Miroslav Krleža. Since 2022, he has been a member of the management board of the international networking project, the so-called COST Action A new ecosystem of early music studies financed by the European Cooperation in Science and Technology. His areas of scientific interest are vocal music of the 18th century with special emphasis on the work of G. F. Händel, performance practice of the past and present, and the application of various cultural theories in historical musicology. War and peace in the oratorios of G. F. Handel January 30, 2024, at 6 p.m., Jewish Culture Center Abstract: Although the war theme is an integral part of the opera librettos set to music by G. F. Händel, with frequent dynastic struggles characteristic of the opera series of that time, only the composer's vocal music in the English language could fully correspond with the wartime - or peaceful - reality of the United Kingdom. The English oratorio genre was invented primarily to morally educate the audience, and many authors such as Ruth Smith have pointed out the importance of interpreting these Handel works in the context of the time of their creation and the intellectual climate that surrounded them. At the same time, the reception of biblical oratories tended to identify the British nation with the chosen people, since the Old Testament war conflicts and their resolution could be seen in their own political everyday life. The lecture will consider those Handel oratorios in which the theme of war and peace plays a more important role and find a balance between the meanings they could have taken on at the time of their creation to their relevance today. Most of the presentation will focus on case studies from two groups of oratorios. The first includes works such as Deborah, Belshazzar, and, to a certain extent, Alexander Balus, which thematize the events of the war with the procedures of classical dramaturgy in which the conflict arises from the conflict between the warring parties, while the musical face takes on individual soloist roles, as well as choral parts of the opposing parties ( ethnic) groups. Judas Maccabaeus and Joshua are primarily in the second group, and the "enemy" in the musical and dramaturgical sense does not appear in them at all. Together with them, we should also consider Solomon, one of the rare oratorical thematizations of political stability and peace.

A special place in the programe goes to Opera singing masterclass and the honor to host a renowned soprano from Metropolitan Opera, Ms. Olga Makarina. 25.-27. january 2018. Opera singing masterclass with Olga Makarina Museum of the National Theatre in Belgrade 25. - 27. January 2018 A special place in the Rossi Fest program goes to the Opera singing masterclass and the honor of hosting a renowned soprano from the Metropolitan Opera, Ms. Olga Makarina. Selected candidates had a three-day session with Ms. Makarina in the Museum of the National Theatre in Belgrade, as well as the Final concert of the masterclass on the Raša Plaovic stage of the National Theatre in Belgrade, both accompanied by the official National Theatre repetiteur, Srđan Jaraković. Olga Makarina Born in Archangel, Russia, Metropolitan Opera soprano Olga Makarina, made her first New York appearances at the New York City Opera as Lucia di Lammermoor and has performed there as Gilda in Rigoletto, Konstanze in Mozart's Abduction from the Seraglio and Olympia in Les Contes d'Hoffmann. Other roles in Ms Makarina's repertoire include Ilia in Idomeneo (Lincoln Center's Mostly Mozart Festival), Violetta in La Traviata (Kirov Opera), and Eudoxie in La Juive (Opera Orchestra of New York). Ms Makarina has also appeared as Zerbinetta in Ariadne auf Naxos with the Minnesota Orchestra and Orff's Carmina Burana as well. Olga Makarina appeared twice at the Bard Festival's Franz Liszt Commemoration in an opera gala singing scenes from Meyerbeer's Robert le Diable and Les Huguenots as well as the final scene of Norma and then as soloist in the Grand Messe of Franz Liszt. In the fall of 2006, she took on the demanding role of Elettra in Mozart's Idomeneo at the Metropolitan Opera with James Levine conducting. At Opera Pacific, she was Adina in the Jonathan Miller production of Donizetti's L'elisir d'amore. In November 2007 she sang Bellini's Norma in a new production at the National Theater Prague, the title role in Donizetti's Lucrezia Borgia at the Slovak National Opera in Bratislava, Adina in Palm Beach, Lucia in Warsaw, and performed in recital with Yefim Bronfman. She sings Marfa in Rimsky-Korsakov's The Tsar's Bride with Olga Borodina with the Opera Orchestra of New York at Carnegie Hall in October 2008 and returns to the Metropolitan covering Gilda, Manon, Thais, and Lucia in the 2008-09 season and sings Leonora in Trovatore in Warsaw. Ms Makarina also has her Masters in piano and voice from the St Petersburg Conservatory. She has won several important prizes and awards including the Metropolitan Opera Auditions, the Musicians Emergency Fund, and the Lieder. 1/1

After a long break caused by the pandemic, Rossi Fest is organizing the first opera premiere in Belgrade. The famous work by Georges Bizet, directed by Ana Grigorović, and conducted by Stefan Zekić, will be performed on September 6, 9, and 15 on marking the European Day of Jewish Culture. In the spirit of European initiatives of large opera houses, Rossi Fest presents opera in an ambient space, following the health measures, the significance of which is greater than the removal from the institution. Carmen, one tragedy shows the direction in which the opera is developing, placing before the audience the work significantly changed, without losing anything of its recognizability and authenticity. The production of Rossi Fest focuses on the social issues of Romani and migrants in the system of European countries, who, during the migrant crisis 2015-2019, face various forms of discrimination. Carmen, the first Romani opera heroine, sings about freedom, which is the same freedom endangered social groups seek - the right to move, the right to work, and, finally, the right to free love. The location of the Romani settlement in which the opera takes place is not built artificially. Instead, by selecting Dorćol Platz and Slikarnica of the National Theatre, we created it in a live and authentic locations. The audience is not a mere observer, but a participant in the action, guests in the characters' living space. Such a concept and the adaptation of the opera itself have not been performed in Serbia so far. A socially engaged opera outside the theater is a unique opportunity to present a new form of artistic research and world trend to the opera audience, finally coming to our country. The production involves a young but well-established creative team of collaborators and performers, which the local audience already recognizes. Tickets can be purchased online http://gigstix.com/sve-ulaznice/9-pozorite/3183-karmen-jedna-tragedija or through Vulkan bookstores. Dates Sunday 06.09 at Dorćol Platz Wednesday 09.09 at Dorćol Platz Tuesday 15.09 at Slikarnica of the National Theatre Director: Ana Grigorović Conductor: Stefan Zekić Scene Design: Dunja Kostić Costume Design: Ivana Ivić Choreography: Tamara Pjević Video: Matija Novaković Carmen – Nataša Rašić José – Stevan Karanac , Marko Živković Escamillo – Vuk Zekić , Luka Jozić Micaëla – Katarina Radovanović Lillas Pastia – Nemanja Stamatović Garcia – Đorđe Živadinović Grgur Zuniga – Pavle Žarkov

The opening of the festival, on January 25, will be marked by a kind of music exhibition in the Atrium of the National Museum, with a modern concert - Baroque Music Exhibition Baroque music exhibition Festival opening January 25 Atrium of the National Museum in Belgrade (20:30) The opening of the festival will be marked by a music exhibition in the Atrium of the National Museum - hopefully, the first in a series of concerts in a modern setting and carefully selected baroque gems in the repertoire, named Baroque Music Exhibition. Among the performers will be the chamber ensemble of the oldest Jewish choir in the world - The Baruch Brothers, the chamber instrumental ensemble, as well as eminent soloists - Aleksandra Jovanović (soprano), Ladislav Mezei (cello), and Stefan Zekić (conductor, baritone). An attractive and diverse program composed of carefully selected compositions by Rossi, Monteverdi, Loti, Lidarti, Handel, and other relevant baroque composers will be staged by the director Ana Grigorović. A special place in this year's program belongs to the pieces from Rossi`s Hashirim asher leSholomo, published exactly 400 years ago and to the numerous from Lidarti`s oratorio Esther - a work that will be present, among the others, in the lecture by. prof. Ana Stefanović, programmed for the third festival day. Tickets for the concert can be purchased in Vulkan bookstores or at the following link . PROGRAM S. Rossi: Keter Elochim Hashivenu H. Purcell: Music for a while (aria from the incidental music for the tragedy Oedipus) J. S. Bach: Trio sonata no. 2 in G-major Marc-Antoine Charpentier (Ester`s aria from the oratorio Esther) G. F. Handel: Mira, e prendi l'esempio (Zoroastro`s aria from the opera Orlando) C. Monteverdi: Adoramus Te Christe Piangero, la sorte mia (Cleopatra`s aria from the opera Giulio Cesare in Egitto) G. F. Handel: Sorge infausta una procella Let the bright seraphim (aria from the oratorio Samson) C. G. Lidarti Oratorio Esther: Finale Performed by: Chamber choir Baruh Brothers: Soprano: Radmila Vladetić Ivanišević, Jelena Miljević, Jana Rančić Alto: Jelena Zekić, Teodora Trajković, Marina Vujović Tenore: Vanja Biserčić, Zoran Stepanović, Luka Lazarević Bass: Svetozar Vujić, Strahinja Tričković. Chamber Orchestra: Mirjana Nešković, first violin Ljubomir Trujanović, second violin Marina Popović, viola Jasmina Vrbanić, violoncello Boban Stošić, double bass Marija Lazić, oboe Ana Đorđević Merle, bassoon Milan Popović, harpsichord Soloists: Ladislav Mezei, violoncello Aleksandra Jovanović, soprano Stefan Zekic, conductor, baritone Stefan Zekić, conductor Founder and director of Rossi Fest. Graduated from the University of Arts, Faculty of Music in Belgrade, in two departments: conducting and solo singing. Additional education includes training and workshops with the most prominent European conductors, such as Uros Lajovic (AU), Michael Sheck (BE), Andrew Parrott (UK), and Max Frey (GE). Currently, he's pursuing a Ph.D. at the University of Arts in Belgrade in the field of opera conducting. He began conducting at the age of 17 and since 2006 he’s been the chief conductor of the Baruch Brothers Choir. He’s a founder and artistic director of the ensemble for early music Canticum Novum and is the conductor of the Jewish chamber orchestra. Since the season 2009/10 he’s engaged at the National Theatre of Belgrade where his first performance was Le Nozze di Figaro (W. A. Mozart). In 2014. He became the chief conductor of the Opera studio of the National Theater and successfully performed two premieres - Die Zauberflote and Bastien und Bastienne. He also performed notable concerts in cooperation with many different ensembles such as Madrigal Choir and Symphony Orchestra of University of Arts in Belgrade, Vocal Ensemble Oktoih, Musica (Slovenia), Vocal Ensemble Marienhain (Germany), St. George Royal Strings, Jewish Chamber Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra Stanislav Binički, Montenegro Symphony orchestra, etc. Stefan Zekic won numerous national and international rewards at the prestige festivals and competitions, as well as the special reward of the state of Israel for a remarkable contribution to strengthening Israel-Serbia relations. Among the prominent artists he has collaborated with are Oscar-winner Jiří Menzel, John Ramster, Martin Evans, Olga Makarina, István Székely, Eraldo Salmieri, Claudia Eder, and others. Ladislav Mezei, violoncellist Full-time professor at the Chamber Music Department of the Faculty of Music in Belgrade, where he earned his BA and MA degrees. Specialization he did at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest. His extensive artistic biography includes two seasons playing as a solo cellist of Sarajevo Opera and Philharmonic Orchestra, full-time membership in Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra and lead cellist position (1975–2004), then solo performances with Sarajevo Philharmonic Orchestra, Vojvodina Symphony Orchestra, RTS Symphony Orchestra, Military Orchestra of Yugoslavia and more. He was a soloist and member of baroque ensemble Muzika Florida and academic chamber ensemble Ensemble Jeunesse Musicale. Among his performances stands out the Millenium Gala Concert in NY Lincoln Center in 1999. He is a permanent associate at the orchestra Camerata Serbica, as well as a member of the Pancevo string quartet (today: Arco String Quartet). He’s the founder of the Jewish Chamber Orchestra, with which he has made a large number of performances. Aleksandra Jovanović, soprano In the 2018/19 season, she made her international debut in the role of the Queen of the Night (Mozart, The Magic Flute) in Deutsche Oper Berlin, where she was engaged during the following seasons. This was followed by her engagements in some of the most prestigious European companies, such as the Vienna State Opera, the Paris National Opera, the Munich Gaertnerplatz Theater, the Spanish Teatro Principal de Palma, theaters in Basel and Wiesbaden, the Dortmund Philharmonic, and others. In her native Serbia, she has performed on the stages of the National Theater in Belgrade, the Opera and Theater Madlenianum, and the Serbian National Theater in Novi Sad for several seasons, and has had fruitful cooperation with the Symphony Orchestra and RTS Choir, participating in two New Year's concerts, Orff's Carmina Burana ( and at the Night of Music event at Tashmajdan Stadium), Requiems by Faure and Mozart, Haydn's Creation, BEMUS festival with Thomas Hampson and the premiere performance and recording of Jezera, for soprano and symphony orchestra, by Božo Banović. She has won numerous awards at national and international competitions, such as International Music Competition in Seoul, SWR Junge Opernstars, Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, and Ada Sari Vocal Artistry Competition. She completed her BA and MA studies in musicology and voice at the Faculty of Music (Prof. Aneta Ilić) and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. Ana Grigorović, stage director Ana Grigorović made her professional debut in 2012 with the show „Five boys“ in „Duško Radović“ Theatre in Belgrade which was awarded the Special Award for New Theatre Tendencies at TIBA Festival. Success followed with the show „Fifty blows“ in Atelje 212 Theatre, which brought her regional acknowledgment and the Special award on International Small Scene Festival in Rijeka. Ana employed techniques of verbatim and documentary theatre with the idea that dramatic performances must be a dialog with the problems and social reality. She continued working on provocative plays in numerous theatres: „Petar“ and Plato’s „Symposium“ in Bitef Theatre in Belgrade, Wolfgang Bauer’s „Magic Afternoon“ in Atelje 212 Theatre, Lorca’s „House of Bernarda Alba“ in National Theatre in Belgrade, Beckett’s „Play“ in „Bora Stanković“ Theatre in Vranje, Pekić’s „The Conception of an Interrogation Transcript“ and Doug Haverty’s and Adryan Russ’s musical „Inside Out“ in Terazije theatre. In 2013, Ana started working as an opera director in National Theatre in Belgrade. She directed awarded productions of Puccini’s „Gianni Schicchi“, Binički’s „At dawn“ (first Serbian opera), and Mozart’s „Bastien und Bastienne“ for younger audiences. These productions brought Ana Grigorović annual commendations for stage direction, while the productiSchicchinni Schichi“ won the Annual Award for best performance in season 2016/17.

Ana Stefanović i Tijana Popović Mladjenović Lecture by dr Ana Stefanović Museum of the National Theater in Belgrade January 28th, 18h (also broadcasted online; GMT +1) The Story of Esther in Genre Interpretations of Musical Baroque Since its first edition, Rossi Fest has included lectures (dedicated to the topics on intercultural and interdisciplinary context of Salomone Rossi`s work, his time, contemporaries and successors) in its program. This year a lecture will be held by an eminent Serbian musicologist and professor of the Faculty of Music of the University of Arts in Belgrade, dr. Ana Stefanović. Lecture abstract: The story of Esther, from the Old Testament Book of Esther, throughout the Baroque was an inspiration to composers and poets in some of the most significant musical works of this era. The content and messages of this story ‒ which are celebrated in the Jewish tradition during the Feast of Purim ‒ including their two aspects: serious and carnival, high and low regarding the genre, were suitable and challenging for musical transposition. Traditionally, as a biblical story, situated in the oratorio genre field, the story of Esther has been nevertheless differently understood in the long history of its musical settings in terms of stage, style, and genre. The basis of Esther’s baroque musical interpretations is the well-known play of the same name by Jean Racine from 1689, which was a direct impetus for several important musical and stage achievements. First, for musical intermedi composed for the first performance of Racine’s play by Jean-Baptiste Moreau, then for the sacred story (histoire sacrée) by Marc-Antoine Charpentier, Historia Esther from 1677, for Antonio Lotti’s oratorio L'umiltà coronata in Esther (1714), then, for Händel’s first oratorio, Esther (1718/1732), and finally, for the oratorio by Cristiano Giuseppe Lidarti, Esther (1774) ‒ found just over two decades ago ‒ which, after a century and a half, represented the first musical work after Rossi’s Ha-shirim asher li-Shlomo (1620‒1623) written in Hebrew, but in the genre framework of the Western tradition. In this lecture, we will pay particular attention to genre and stylistic interpretations of the story of Esther in the works of Moreau, Händel, and Lidarti. Prof. dr Ana Stefanović Musicologist, Professor at the University of Arts, Faculty of Music (Department of Musicology), in Belgrade, and Associate Researcher at IreMus, Paris. She received her MA degree at the Faculty of Music in Belgrade and her Ph.D. in musicology at the University Paris IV Sorbonne. The main areas of her research are baroque opera, solo song, the relation between music and text, as well as questions of musical style and stylistic analysis. She is engaged in several international and national projects in musicology and is the author of a large number of studies and articles published in reviews for musicology and music theory, and collected papers. She edited several issues of collected papers and organized several international conferences. She published the books: La musique comme métaphore. La relation de la musique et du texte dans l’opéra baroque français: de Lully à Rameau, Paris, L’Harmattan, 2006; Temporality and Narrativity in Music Drama, Beograd, FMU, 2017. She is also the author of the Anthology of Serbian Art Song I–VI, Belgrade, UKS, 2008–2014.