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  • Portraits and Remembrance | Rossi Fest

    Concert: Portraits and Remembrance Thursday, January 27th, 8 P.M. Belgrade National Museum ​ At the festival's opening concert, on January 27, the works of the five finalists of the fifth Competition for young composers "Portraits and Memories" will be presented - on January 27th, commemorating World Holocaust Remembrance Day. The pieces from this year's edition of the competition are mostly inspired by the story and letters of Hilda Deich, which give a new perspective on the general social situation at her time and her experience in the Sajmište camp. By putting the spotlight on this topic, Rossi Fest continues its cultural mission and makes a significant contribution to the world's cultural heritage in the field of preserving the culture of memory. The finalists of the Competition, selected by the Artistic Committee of the Festival, come from four countries, and the fantastic Aratos Trio will perform their pieces in the Atrium of the National Museum in Belgrade. ​ PROGRAM: Gavin Sol Goodrich (SAD): Hilda and Mirjana’s Last Encounter Lazar Marić (Srbija): The cry of Hilda Dajč Zach Gulaboff Davis (SAD, Makedonija) : Unfurl Lazar Đorđević (Srbija): Letters from Semlin Braha Bdil (Izrael) : Metamorphosis on the Theme of Hava Nagila Performers: Aratos trio: Katarina Popović, violina Mihailo Samoran, klarinet Vanja Šćepanović, klavir Hilda Dajč - Jelena Puzić, glumica Režija – Ana Grigorović ​ Aratos trio Aratos Trio was formed in 2014. by Katarina Popović (violin), Mihailo Samoran (clarinet) and Vanja Šćepanović (piano). As already individually accomplished professional musicians, trio members have enrolled in artistic doctoral studies at the Faculty of Music, University of Arts in Belgrade (Serbia) being gathered around the idea of promoting the clarinet trio as a full-fledged and, in a way, 'standard' chamber music ensemble, different but equal to the more traditional ensembles such as piano trio or string quartet. The trio has been engaged in the artistic research of clarinet trio repertoire with a special focus on music written in the late 20th and 21st centuries, especially music composed by Serbian authors. Their repertoire includes a number of pieces, including the most important early works written for clarinet trio by composers such as Bela Bartok, Igor Stravinsky, Aram Khachaturian, Gian Carlo Menotti, Darius Milhaud, Alexander Arutiunian, etc., some of which are considered to be the most significant pieces in chamber music history. Next to performing already existing pieces by Ivan Brkljačić, Vladimir Tošić, Milana Stojadinović Milić, Dragana Jovanović, Isidora Žebeljan, Ante Grgin (who dedicated his Trio for clarinet, violin, and piano to Aratos Trio) and other Serbian composers. Aratos Trio is investigating possibilities for the newest additions to the clarinet trio repertoire through collaboration with various contemporary composers. Since its inception, Aratos Trio has presented at least 15 clarinet trio pieces for the first time in front of a Serbian audience, thus positioning itself as a fresh and innovative ensemble on the Serbian classical music scene. The performances of the Aratos Trio were observed in concert podiums throughout Serbia and Italy. In August 2017, Aratos Trio participated at the International Music Festivals Nei Suoni dei Luoghi and Carniarmonie, both in Italy. Recognized as the best ensemble by the director of the festival and famous cellist, Mr. Enrico Bronzi, Aratos Trio was honored to close the Nei Suoni dei Luoghi Festival in Giuseppe Verdi Theatre in Trieste - Italy, in November 2018. Aratos Trio's projects are recognized and supported by SOKOJ and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Serbia. Gavin Sol Goodrich - Hilda and Mirjana’s Last Encounter Gavin Sol Goodrich is a composer and concert pianist. Hailing from Washington State, his works have been performed by Ekmeles, International Contemporary Ensemble, and Vibraphone Project Inc. He graduated from Columbia University with honors with degrees in mathematics and music. Under the advisement of Georg Friedrich Haas, his senior thesis focused on writing 15th-century polyphony in microtonal systems. He is currently working in Spain on a Fulbright grant. Hilda and Mirjana’s Last Encounter I wrote this work when my mom was dying, after she lost her ability to speak, and all I could do was hold her hand in silence. This trio is my attempt at understanding Mirjana’s thoughts as she met Hilda for the last time, knowing she was meeting a dying loved one and doing her best to comfort her without words. This piece is me trying to glimpse into one of the saddest moments of a stranger’s life and attempting to see through my own grief by connecting with Mirjana’s wordless goodbye. Lazar Marić - The cry of Hilda Dajč Lazar Marić (2001) is a composition student at the Faculty of Music in Belgrade. He received his primary musical education at the "Stevan Hristić" music school in Kruševac. After that, he enrolled in the "Stevan Mokranjac" high school of music in Kraljevo in the instrumental department - majoring in piano. He graduates high school as the best student of his generation and he enrolls in composition studies at the Faculty of Music in the class of professor Dragan Latinčić. His pieces were performed at concerts and festivals, such as KoMA'17, KoMA'18, and FESTUM. The cry of Hilda Dajč The cry of Hilde Dajč is an instrumental piece inspired by Hilda Dajč letters in which she described the suffering of innocent civilians in a Nazi concentration camp. Through the sound of the clarinet, violin, and piano, as well as in complex compositional and technical procedures, all the suffering, perseverance, and personal struggle of a young Jewish woman are depicted. The description of the struggle of a young Jewish woman is reflected, both in terms of form, as well as on the harmonic-melodic level, which is the result of deep research into the sound possibilities of instruments. Zach Gulaboff Davis - Unfurl Described as “beautiful, lyrical” and brimming with “unexpected harmonic shifts,” the music of Macedonian-American composer Zach Gulaboff Davis centers on the expressive and dramatic possibilities of compositional narrative. A 2023 MacDowell Fellow, Zach maintains an active schedule as a composer and collaborator across the globe. Zach has partnered with a plethora of organizations and performers ranging from NASA’s Space Science Telescope Institute, the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, to NYC’s Apotheosis Opera, and has completed residencies at the Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts, Atlantic Center, Brevard Institute, Bowdoin International Music Festival, and Canada’s Arcady Ensemble, most recently serving as the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation Creative Fellow for Composition at Millay Arts. Unfurl This work was penned as a homage, honoring the remembrance of World War II while providing a ray of hope and optimism for a brighter future. It is my dream that this work serves not only as a marker of the past but inspires some small spark of hope for a trajectory toward peace. As the work unfolds, listen for changes in texture and character, eventually returning to a climax reminiscent of the opening. Lazar Đorđević - Letters from Semlin Lazar Djordjevic was born in 1992 in Kragujevac. The compositions by Lazar Djordjevic were performed several times in the country and abroad. He was a participant in many festivals such as the International Review of Composers in Belgrade, Rossi fest, KOMA festival (for young authors), Festum, etc. For the composition Jednom sam negde čuo... for clarinet, accordion, and string quartet (2016) he received an international award for the best composition at the contest New Serbian Music for the Accordion at the International Festival of Accordions Eufonija. He is a prize-winner from the Stevan Hristic Foundation in 2015 and Josip Slavenski Foundation in 2017. He is the author of the first Serbian concerto for accordion and orchestra, which premiered in 2017. Lazar Đorđević is currently employed as an assistant at the Department of Music Theory at the Faculty of Music Arts in Belgrade. Letters from Semlin The piece Letters from Semlin for violin, clarinet, and piano was composed at the end of 2022 and is dedicated to the Aratos Trio and Rossi Fest. The main inspiration for the creation of the work was four letters written by Hilda Deich in December 1941. Letters assigned to friends Nada Novak and Mirjana Petrović are written evidence of the last months of the life of 20-year-old Hilda, who volunteered to work as a nurse in the camp at the Belgrade Sajmište. The musical narrative follows the content of the letters, therefore four larger units can be discerned when it comes to the musical form. The idea of ​​the piece is to present the courage and humanity of young Hilda Deich through musical means and to once again revive the memory of the innocent victims of the Holocaust. Brcaha Bdil - Metamorphosis on the Theme of Hava Nagila Composer, conductor, and pianist has a Master's degree in Music Education and Composition from the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance. Bracha was awarded the 2019-2020 ACUM Award, in Israel, won the first prize in the Wolf Durmashkin Composition Award, Germany (2018), and the first prize in the Yardena Alotin Composition Competition, Bar-Ilan University, Israel (2016). Her repertoire includes orchestral music, chamber, vocal and electronic music, as well as music for dance and theater. Metamorphosis of "Hava Nagila" (Let's Rejoice) The work seems to follow the caricature of the writings of Hilda Dajč, a Jewish girl, born in Belgrade, who perished in the Holocaust. Her first letter to her friend was optimistic as it was written the day before her exile to Sajmište camp, as well as the presentation of the melody "Hava Nagila" in a dance klezmer style. The following letters, which are addressed to various friends, contain impressions of the difficult camp life, and in accordance with their content - the music also becomes more expressive and dramatic and sometimes sounds like a kind of prayer. During the war, Hilda Dajč volunteered for nursing services on her own initiative, served as a nurse in the Jewish hospital in Belgrade, and despite the despair and anxiety - continued her activities in the camp as well. Metamorphosis of "Hava Nagila" - as a tribute to Dajč - strives to paint a portrait of memory interwoven with the hope, to perpetuate the Jewish-Hebrew heritage in an optimistic tone. Through the expressive variations, the dance melody alternately floats and rises and even signs the composition. Despite the many attempts at "final solutions" to the destruction of the Jewish nation – it is still alive, exists, and continues to draw its historical portrait.

  • Opera Rinaldo| Rossi Fest 24

    The premiere of the Opera Rinaldo Georg Friedrich Handel Belgrade, January 30, 2024, Jewish Cultural Center, 8:00 p.m Novi Sad, January 31, 2024, Synagogue, 8:00 p.m ​ ​ The seventh edition of Rossi Fest has the honor to announce the premiere of the famous baroque opera Rinaldo by George Frideric Handel, produced by the New Belgrade Opera, which will be held in Belgrade at the Jewish Cultural Center on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, as well as in synagogue in Novi Sad on Wednesday, January 31, 202 4. This masterpiece is H andel's first opera for a London audience and represents one of the pinnacles of Baroque musical dramaturgy and art. Under the direction of Sreten Manojlović, conducted by Predrag Gosta, the ensemble New Trinity Baroque, and international soloists, participants of the Belgrade Baroque Academy will present themselves with a baroque orchestra on historical instruments. The vocal soloists are participants of the 22nd Belgrade Baroque Academy, who, accompanied by a baroque orchestra on historical instruments, will perform this opera between January 22 and 29, with the support of mentors recognized in the world of early music - vocal coach and countertenor Nicholas Clapton from Great Britain, our conductor and harpsichordist Predrag Gosta, our acclaimed bass-baritone Sreten Manojlović, who will be the director of the show for this occasion. The orchestral accompaniment, under the direction of Predrag Gosta, is entrusted to the participants of the Baroque workshop for instrumentalists, led by violinist Adrian Butterfield from Great Britain, with the support of the great ensemble "New Trinity Baroque", which recently celebrated its 25th year. The realization of the opera was helped by the Vojvodina Association for Early Music, Studio for Early Music Belgrade, New Belgrade Opera, Musical Youth of Novi Sad, Italian Institute in Belgrade, and Rossi-fest. ​ Tickets for the concert can be purchased via GIGS Tix-a . ​ ​ Participants: New Trinity Baroque Ensemble Belgrade Baroque Academy Rinaldo: Lia ng Yu (South Africa/Germany), Sofia Romanova (Russia) Goffredo: Leo Zappitelli (Italy/Germany), Alina Sivitskaya (Bielorussia/Italy) Almirena: Silvija Radjen Kumar (Croatia), Ida Magarašević (Serbia/Hungary) Armida: Veronica Ruello (Russia/Switzerland), Anja Papa Peranović (Croatia) Argante: Aleksa Jevtić (Serbia/Austria) ​ Conductor: Predrag Gosta Stage d director: Sreten Manojlović ​ Vocal Coaching: Nicholas Clapton (UK) and Predrag Gosta (Serbia/Croatia/USA/UK) Baroque Strings/Orchestra: Adrian Butterfield (UK) Predrag Gosta, conductor and harpsichordist Conductor and harpsichordist PREDRAG GOSTA studied in Great Britain, America, Russia, and Serbia. He has collaborated with many renowned artists and ensembles specializing in Baroque music. He has conducted with famous orchestras such as the London Symphony Orchestra, the Russian National Orchestra, the National Philharmonic in Washington, and opera houses in Switzerland, Germany, Bulgaria, the USA, and Serbia. He has received numerous awards and honors, including the UMUS Award for Best Concert in 2017 (for the opera "L'Orfeo"). In addition to the New Trinity Baroque and the Belgrade Baroque Academy, he is the artistic director of the New Belgrade Opera and the Early Music Festival. He has recorded around 20 compact discs. Currently, he is completing research on 18th-century English opera as a doctoral candidate at the University of Oxford. Sreten Manojlović, bas-bariton He was born in Belgrade, and he gained his vocal education at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna. His interest in early music initially developed through collaboration with the Belgrade Baroque Academy, further expanding through collaboration with early music centers such as the Royaumont Foundation, the Early Music Festival in Innsbruck, the Jardin des voix project of Les Arts Florissants ensemble, etc. His performances have taken him to stages of concert halls like the Paris Philharmonic, Berlin Philharmonic, and Luxembourg Philharmonic, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, the Tonhalle in Zurich, the Tchaikovsky Hall in Moscow, the Barbican Centre in London, as well as theater stages such as Theater an der Wien, theaters in Lille, Compiegne, Nantes, Aachen, Wiesbaden, etc. Last season, he appeared as Figaro in "The Marriage of Figaro", Delone in Cesti's "Orontea" at the theater in Aachen, Polifemo in the opera of the same name by Porpora at the Theater an der Wien, Concertgebouw Amsterdam, and the theater in Wiesbaden, and Euthyphron in "The Stone of Wisdom" — an opera written by a group of composers including Mozart, at the Mozart Festival in Würzburg. At the Baroque Music Festival in Bayreuth, he performed as Lotario in Handel's opera "Flavio", and with Les Arts Florissants, he interpreted the role of Simon in Joseph Haydn's "The Seasons". With this production, he also presents himself as a director. New Trinity Baroque ensemble Hailed by the critics as “Atlanta’s most adventurous early music ensemble” (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution), NEW TRINITY BAROQUE is recognized as one of the leading early music ensembles today. Founded by Predrag Gosta in London in 1998, NTB was initially established as an ensemble of international musicians, and they continue to maintain this presence through collaborations with U.S. and international artists: past soloists include soprano Evelyn Tubb, recorder player Marion Verbruggen, violinists Ingrid Matthews, Florian Deuter, Bojan Cicic and John Holloway, harpsichordist Steven Devine, and others. Each season, the ensemble presents over thirty concerts and educational events in Atlanta and other cities throughout the U.S. and in Europe, performing on period instruments of the 17th and 18th centuries. The group’s repertoire ranges from chamber to orchestral, from cantatas to operas, and its styles from Renaissance to Classical. Belgrade Baroque academy It was founded in 2013. To date, it has organized twenty-two master workshops for the interpretation of 17th and 18th-century music, to educate young solo singers and instrumentalists in Belgrade under the mentorship of recognized foreign and domestic experts in the historical interpretation of Baroque music. In addition to harpsichordist, baritone, and conductor Predrag Gosta, who is the conceptual founder and artistic director of the Belgrade Baroque Academy, previous mentors have included soprano Evelyn Tubb (UK), countertenor Marijana Mijanović (Switzerland), baritone Christian Hilz (Germany), Baroque violinists Adrian Butterfield (UK), Florian Deuter (Germany), Ilia Korol (Austria), Bojan Čičić (UK), Simone Pirri (Italy), Christi Park (USA), Zoran Kostadinović, and Katarina Đorđević; Baroque violist William Bauer (USA), Baroque cellists and gambists André Laurent O'Neil (USA) and Srđan Stanić, lutenist Darko Karajić, cornettists Jeremy West (England) and David Brutti (Italy), Baroque trumpeter Siegfried Koch (Austria), flutists Rachel Brown (UK), Karolina Bäter (Germany), and Meila Tomé (Brazil), oboist Isabella Mercuri (Italy), and many others. Joining this academy is countertenor Nicholas Clapton (UK).

  • CONCERT | THE PSALMS OF DAVID | rossifest

    ​ ​ Concert The Psalms of David National Theatre in Belgrade, "Raša Plaović" stage 28 January 2020 at 20:00 ​ To celebrate the 140th anniversary of the Baruch Brothers Choir, the oldest Jewish choir in the world, a special spiritual concert will be held on the final evening of the Rossi Fest. “Psalms of David” spans several centuries of art music inspired by the book of Psalms. The program will feature works by Solomon Rossi, Johann Sebastian Bach, Antonio Vivaldi, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Alexander Gretchaninov, Aharon Harlap, Louis Lewandowsky, Max Janowski, and Leonard Bernstein. This unique program reflects the idea of ​​multiculturalism, particularly multi-confessionality, contributing to the popularization and convergence of different cultural and religious traditions. We encourage young people in the cultural field to develop a sense of community and solidarity. A meeting point can be found in the Old Testament, namely the book of Psalms, including texts written in 7 different languages. This concert will attract a wide audience of music lovers, as Psalms continues to inspire classical music composers. The special guests of the concert are soprano Olga Makarina, mezzo-soprano Alessandra di Giorgio, and soprano Ayelet Cohen, who will for this special occasion arrive directly from Israel. ​ P ROGRAM: ​ Elohim hashivenu Salomon Rossi (1570 – 1630) ​ Erbarme dich, mein Gott (Matthew Passion) Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) ​ Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter of Zion (from the oratorio Messiah ) Georg Friedrich Handel (1685-1759) ​ Shiru L'Adonai Aharon Harlap (1941- ) ​ Al tiro Jacob Leib Wasilkowsky (1882-1942) ​ Hallelujah (Exultate jubilate) Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) ​ Fac ut portem (Stabat mater) Giovanni Battista Pergolesi (1710-1736) ​ Antiphons (Liturgy Domestica) Aleksandar Grečaninov (1864-1956) ​ Enosh Louis Lewandowski (1821-1894) ​ Avinu Mulkeinu Max Janowski (1912–1991) ​ The Chichester Psalms Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990) ​ Hallelujah Louis Lewandowski ​ ​ Performers: The Baruh Brothers Choir ​ Olga Makarina (USA), soprano Ayelet Koen, (Israel) soprano Alessandra di Giorgio (Germany/Serbia), mezzosoprano Ivana Zavišić, violin Ladislav Mezei, cello Hristina Antić, organ Aleksandar Radulović, percussion Mina Marinković, harp Igor Dražević, piano ​

  • Summer Opera Academy | Rossi Fest

    ​ ​ SUMMER OPERA ACADEMY August 2021, Belgrade ​ Rossi Fest Summer Program focuses on the development of necessary professional skills for voice students and emerging opera artists, giving personalized attention to each participant, according to her/his specific strengths and needs. The Summer Program offers two packages: ​ 1) Carmen production two-week program of intensive voice lessons, coachings, musical and stage rehearsals, and a performance with an orchestra of Bizet’s Carmen on a theatre stage. 2) Voice Masterclass & Mozart Competition program consisting a voice masterclass, a performance at Mozart competition with an orchestra, and a possibility of winning several prizes. ​ ​ Opera "Carmen" Rossi Fest production August 18, National Theatre Belgrade ​ Ana Grigorović's Carmen focuses on the social question of Roma people and migrants' life in the systems of European countries - groups that were faced with different ways of discrimination throughout the migrant crisis from 2015-2019. The production is set in the present, placing the action in a guarded refugee house, where the characters` urge for freedom becomes apparent. The freedom that Carmen as the first operatic Roma heroine sings about is the same freedom that vulnerable social groups are looking for - the right to move, to work, and lastly, to love freely. This adaptation of the opera had its Serbian premiere with this Rossi Fest production with great success. This performance is the result of the Carmen production Academy program, in which vocal soloists had the opportunity to work on their vocal, artistic, and stage skills with Rossi Summer Academy lecturers throughout the period of two weeks. Conductor : Srboljub Dinić Director : Ana Grigorović Voice professor : Olga Makarina Second conductor : Stefan Zekić Répétiteur : Srđan Jaraković Stage design : Dunja Kostić Costume : Ivana Ivić Choreography : Tamara Pjević ​ Video art : Matija Novaković Light design : Vlado Marinkovski Carmen – Shai Terry (IL) Don José – Marko Živković (RS) Escamillo – Vuk Zekić (RS) Micaëla – Elena Kozina-Claps (RU) Zuniga – Milan Tošić Lillas Pastia – Nemanja Stamatović Garcia – Đorđe Živadinović Grgur ​ Orchestra ensemble: Concertmaster : Vesna Jansens Violin : Aleksandra Dimitrijević Viola : Mirko Crnojević Cello : Jasmina Vrbanić Double bass : Svetozar Vujić Flute : Jelena Španović Oboe : Marija Lazić Clarinet : Mihailo Samoran Bassoon : Ana Đorđević Horn : Igor Lazić Trumpet : Nenad Ninković Trombone : Ivan Jovanović Percussions : Aleksandar Radulović ​ Light operator : Igor Vukojević Video operator : Dejan Ostojić Subtitles operator : Ana Bunjak Stage master : Zoran Mirić ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Mocart takmičenje ​ MOZART COMPETITION August 12, National Theatre Belgrade ​ Rossi Fest dedicates its very first opera competition to W. A. Mozart, as 2021 marks 230 years from the death of this musical genius. After the online elimination process, seven participants will have the opportunity to work on their repertoire with Rossi Fest Summer Academy lecturers and present it with the orchestra on the main stage of the National Theatre Belgrade, in front of a renowned international jury and audience. ​ Competition Final: Tamara Mitrović Ach, ich fühl’s / Die Zauberflöte In uomini, in soldati / Così fan tutte Milica Damnjanac Der Hölle Rache / Die Zauberflöte Batti, batti, o bel Masetto / Don Giovanni Milutin Jocić Hai già vinta la causa Non più andrai / Le Nozze di Figaro Shai Terry Non so più / Le nozze di Figaro Smanie implacabili / Così fan tutte Helena Anat Susha Deh vieni, non tardar / Le Nozze di Figaro Padre, germani, addio! / Idomeneo Milos Milojević Madamina, il catalogo e’ questo / Don Giovanni Diggi, daggi, shurry, murry / Bastien und Bastienne Olivera Krivokuća Padre, germani, addio! / Idomeneo Strider sento la procella / Lucio Silla Conductors: Stefan Zekić and Adi Bar Director: Ana Grigorović Orchestra ensemble: Flute: Jelena Spanović Oboe: Marija Lazić Clarinet: Nikola Đurica Basson : Ana Djordjević Chorn : Igor Lazić First violin: Vesna Jansens Second violin: Aleksandra Jovanović Viola: Mirko Crnojević Double bass: Boban Stosić ​ Orchestration : Srđan Jaraković ​ ​ ​ ​ Jury members: Olga Makarina soprano founder of Grand Stage International Arts Foundation Aneta Ilić soprano Voice professor and Vice-Dean at the Faculty of Music, Belgrade Katarina Jovanovič soprano Voice professor at the Faculty of Music, Belgrade Srboljub Dinić conductor General Music Director at the State Theatre Braunschweig Adi Bar conductor ​ ​Prizes & Awards Certificates for all participants I, II, and III prize Potential engagement for Serbian-speaking singers in one of the upcoming productions Scholarship for Setúbal CantoFest 2022 (Portugal) Scholarship for Neustadter Meistersingerkurs mit Wettbewerbskonzert 2022 (Germany) ​

  • Rossi Fest | 2023

    ​ ​ The sixth edition of Rossi Fest January 27th - February 6th 2023​ ​ European premiere of the lost oratorio Ester, works by young composers and lectures by musicologists At the festival's opening concert, on January 27 , the works of the five finalists of the fifth Competition for young composers "Portraits and Memories" will be presented - on January 27th, commemorating World Holocaust Remembrance Day. The pieces from this year's edition of the competition are mostly inspired by the story and letters of Hilda Deich, which give a new perspective on the general social situation at her time and her experience in the Sajmište camp. By putting the spotlight on this topic, Rossi Fest continues its cultural mission and makes a significant contribution to the world's cultural heritage in the field of preserving the culture of memory. The finalists of the Competition, selected by the Artistic Committee of the Festival, come from four countries, and the fantastic Aratos Trio will perform their pieces in the Atrium of the National Museum in Belgrade. In the educational part of the festival program eminent musicologists Maja Vasiljević (Serbia) and Dora Lovrečić (Croatia) will hold lectures on the topics: "Jewish musicians in Serbia (from the Balfour Declaration to the Holocaust)" and "Aron Marko Rothmüller, composer and opera singer of Jewish origin" - on January 29th, in the museum of the National Theater, ​ As the crown of this year's program, we would single out the European premiere of the oratorio "Esther" on February 6th, which will be performed in Europe for the first time after more than 200 years. The oratorio will be staged at the Grand stage of the National Theater in Belgrade, under the baton of festival director Stefan Zekić, directed by Ana Grigorović, and performed by our eminent artists in the main roles: Aneta Ilić (soprano), Sofija Pižurica (soprano), Marko Živković (tenor), Vuk Zekić (baritone); as well as the acclaimed instrumental in the instrumental solo parts: Mina Mendlsson (concertmaster), Ladislav Mezei and Milan Popović (continuo), together with Baruch Brothers Choir and the Jewish Chamber Orchestra. The scenography is signed by Dunja Kostić and the costumes are created by Sara Blam. ​ The score of the oratorio "Esther" (1774) by the Italian composer Christian Giuseppe Lidarti was rediscovered only in 1997 and is still considered one of the richest and most monumental works of Jewish art music of the 17th century, and the 18th century. Saravalo's libretto, based on the text of the second version of Handel's oratorio (1732), "remained without music" until November 7, 1997, when Richard Andrews, a librarian at the University of Cambridge, found a handwritten score by Christian Giuseppe Lidarti called oratorio "Esther," in 1774. He then began to work on the reconstruction of the work, which resulted in the world premiere of the oratorio in May 2000 in Jerusalem, while the Belgrade audience will have the opportunity to attend the European premiere of this work. ​ This edition of the Festival is supported by The Buki Finci Fund, the Jewish Municipality of Belgrade, the Ministry of Culture and Information, the Vlatacom Institute, Teri Engineering, the Italian Cultural Center, and the Belgrade National Theatre. ​ Program 2023 ​ ​ January 27, Friday Atrium of the National Museum 20:0 0 Concert: Portraits and Remembrance Concert of the finalists selected at the international competition for young composers of the same name, dedicated to commemorating the International Holocaust Day organized in cooperation with Memorial Center "Staro sajmište" January 29, Sunday National The ater Museum 18:00 Lecture by Maja Vasiljević: Jewish musicians in Serbia (from the Balfour Declaration to the Holocaust) 19:30 Lecture by Dora Lovrečić (Croatia): Aron Marko Rothmüller, composer and opera singer of Jewish origin ​ ​ ​February 6, Monday ​National Theater, Main Stage 19:30 Oratorio Ester European premiere Portraits and Remembrance Lectures Esther Oratorio

  • Masterclasses | Rossi Fest

    OPEN CALL FOR STUDENTS AND YOUNG MUSICIANS 2020 An important segment of the festival is dedicated to the education and professional empowerment of young music professionals. This year we have the honor to host two reputable opera singers, soprano from New York Metropolitan Opera Olga Makarina and mezzo-soprano Alessendra di Giorgio (Sanja Radišić), that will hold solo singing masterclasses in two categories: OPERA SINGING MASTERCLASS WITH OLGA MAKARINA GERMAN LIED MASTERCLASS WITH ALESSANDRA DI GIORGIO (SANJA RADIŠIĆ) Masterclasses are open for opera singing students and graduated opera singers up to 32 years of age. Participants will have a chance to participate in individual sessions (25-27 January) and on 28 January - to take part in the joint concert with all participants of the masterclasses. The sessions and the concert will be held with the official Rossi Fest pianist and will be open to the public. ​ APPLICATION Applications for masterclasses are closed now. MORE ABOUT MASTERCLASSES Rossi Fest will have the honor of hosting a renowned soprano from the Metropolitan Opera , Ms. Olga Makarina for the second time. Selected candidates will have a three-day session with Ms. Makarina, accompanied by the pianist. Finally, the participants will take part in the concert with other masterclass participants that will be held on January 28. ​ OPERA SINGING MASTERCLASS The soprano from the Metropolitan Opera OLGA MAKARINA was born in Archangel, Russia, where she earned her Masters in piano and voice from the St Petersburg Conservatory. She has won a number of important prizes and awards, and is especially notable for her pedagogical work with young singers. Her first New York appearance was at the New York City Opera as Lucia di Lammermoor . She has performed as well Gilda in Rigoletto , Konstanze in Mozart's Abduction from the Seraglio and Olympia in Les Contes d'Hoffmann , 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). Apart from these, she has also appeared as Zerbinetta in Ariadne auf Naxos with the Minnesota Orchestra and in Orff's Carmina Burana . She performed the demanding role of Elettra in Mozart's Idomeneo at the Metropolitan Opera with James Levine conducting, while at Opera Pacific she was Adina in the Jonathan Miller production of Donizetti's L'elisir d'amore . She appeared twice at the Bard Festival , singing scenes from Meyerbeer's Robert le Diable and Les Huguenots as well as the final scene of Norma and then as a soloist in the Grand Messe of Franz Liszt. Apart from the Metropolitan Opera , Olga Makarina performed on various stages in Prague, Bratislava, Palm Beach, Warsaw, and in Carnegie Hall . GERMAN LIED VOCAL MASTERCLASS For the first time as part of the Rossi fest , this year there will be a masterclass in German lied singing. The candidates will have the honor of attending the masterclass with reputable mezzo-soprano ALESSANDRA DI GIORGIO (SANJA RADIŠIĆ) . Born in Belgrade in a reputable artistic family, Sanja Radišić graduated from the Faculty of Music in Belgrade in the class of Violete Radaković Pančetović and the Music Academy in Mannheim, Germany. Her rich repertoire covers over thirty solo roles that include incredibly demanding roles such as Lady Macbeth , Amneris, Ulrica , Eboli , Venus , etc. She started her career in Germany, which was followed by performances in Italy, France, Spain, Romania and Austria. She performed with the Orchestre National d'Ile-de-France under the baton of Enrique Mazzola, then with the Philharmonie de Paris, as well as other prestigious halls of Paris. She sang the Queen of Saba by K.Goldmark at the prestigious Klosterneuburg in Vienna and then in the grandiose hall of Brucknerhaus in Linz, Austria where she performed Verdi’s Requiem . She further embraced the dramatic repertoire with her debut as Santuzza in Cavalleria Rusticana by Mascagni. In the year 2020 she’ll present her first CD with the Berliner Philharmoniker where she’ll appear as Santuzza in Cavalleria Rusticana by Mascagni. Alessandra was the first soloist from Serbia that had the honor of performing in the famous festival in Bayreuth (Bayreuth Festspiele ) for the 150th anniversary of the birth of Siegfried Wagner. She’s the winner of all first medials in the Serbian national competitions, as well as various international prizes, such as: Vienna International New Year's Competition , International Competition Amici della Musica , Alcamo, Italy and International Opera Competition Hariclea Darclee in Braila, Romania. Apart from an enviable music career, Alessandra is also a graduated graphic designer. ​ CONTACT US For any further information or questions feel free to write to us at rossi.fest.belgrade@gmail.com

  • Opera Rinaldo| Rossi Fest 24

    Baroque Banquet Concert ​ Belgrade, January 30, 2024, Jewish Cultural Center, 8:00 p.m Novi Sad, January 31, 2024, Synagogue, 8:00 p.m ​ On Sunday, January 28, at 8 p.m., the Baroque Feast concert took place in the Jewish Community of Belgrade in collaboration with the Belgrade Baroque Academy. This extraordinary musical event featured esteemed members of the New Trinity Baroque ensemble, along with soloists, lecturers, and students from the Belgrade Baroque Academy. Attendees had the pleasure of indulging in performances of exquisite works by baroque composers, presented on historically authentic instruments, creating an unforgettable experience for all. ​ ​ PROGRAM: VIVALDI Concerto for 4 violins in B minor, from the collection L'Estro Armonico , Op. 3, No. 10 JS. BACH Siciliano, from the Organ Concerto in D major, after BWV 1053R PURCELL Aria What Power Are Thou , from the opera King Arthur VIVALDI Allegro, from the Violin Concerto in F major Autumn , RV 293, from the collection Four Seasons HANDEL Largo, from Concerta Grosso, Op. 3, No. 2 HANDEL Aria Tirannia gli diede il regno , from the opera Rodelinda VIVALDI Ciaccona, from String Concerto in C major, RV 114 HANDEL's Aria The Empress , from the opera Atalanta TELEMANN Largo, from Viola Concerto in G major, TWV 51:G9 JS. BACH Adagio, from Concerto for Two Violins in D minor, BWV 1043 HANDEL Aria How willing my paternal love , from the oratorio Samson HANDEL Sinfonia The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba , from the oratorio Solomon LULLY Passacaille, from the opera Armida ​ ​ Pa rticipants: New Trinity Baroque Ensemble Baroque Orchestra of the Belgrade Baroque Academy International soloists from Italy, Great Britain, Germany, Austria, and beyond Conductor and harpsichord: Predrag Gosta ​ ​

  • CONCERT | PORTRAITS AND REMEMBRANCE | rossifest

    Concert Portraits and Remembrance National Theatre in Belgrade, "Raša Plaović" stage 27 January 2020 at 20:00 ​ The concert "Portraits and Remembrance" is a significant part of Rossi Fest and one of the constant parts of the program of all festival editions. The theme is dedicated to Holocaust victims as well as the brave and righteous deeds by individuals and groups. As part of the commemoration of the International Holocaust Remembrance Day, at the concert, the “Quatuor pour la fin du temps” (Quartet for the End of Time) by Olivier Messiaen will be performed. The piece was debuted during the composer’s captivity in the concentration camp Selesia. Faced with the horrors of war and captivity, the composer finds inspiration for his work in the final chapter of the bible - prophecies, dreams and visions by St. John about the End of the World. With this mode of action, Rossi Fest takes on a vital role in nurturing a culture of awareness of the Holocaust horrors. ​

  • Ansambl Salomon Rosi | rossifest

    ​ Festival opening and a concert of the Ensemble Salomone Rossi Musical flowers from Jewish Baroque National Theatre in Belgrade, "Raša Plaović" stage 25 January 2020 at 20:00 ​ The Ensemble Salomone Rossi , founded by Lydia Cevidalli in 1991, have to their credit performances in Italy and abroad: among the most important, in Belgium at the Concertgebouw of Bruges and the Castle of Chimay, in Spain at the Real Academia de Bellas Artes of Madrid, with live broadcasting for the Spanish National Radio and in the United States at the Montclair State University. In 2009, the Ensemble recorded the CD Jewish Baroque Music for Concerto Classics , which obtained excellent reviews on national Italian print, such as Amadeus, Suonare News and IlSole24ore, as well as presentations on various Italian national and private radio stations, including Radio3suite and Piazzaverdi of Radio3. In 2012 and 2018, the CD was re-printed. In recent years the Ensemble has recorded the music for the BBC documentary, "The Story of the Jews", has played in Rome for the Quirinale Concerts of Radio3, with live broadcast of the concert on the Italian National Radio3, in Cremona, at the Museum of Instruments for the review "Il violinist sul tetto ", in Venice at the Ugo and Olda Levi Foundation , in Bergamo in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore , in Parma at the Sala Maria Luigia of the Palatina Library, in Ascona (Switzerland), in Trieste, in Istanbul. In 2018 the Ensemble recorded the Cd “Salmi e Sonate di Benedetto Marcello”, released by Concerto Classics; the CD was accepted with much success by the national Italian print and broadcasted by well-known public and private national radio programs. The second CD will be released in spring 2020. ​ lydiacevidalli.it ​ ​ m

  • Masterclass with Claudia Eder | Rossi Fest 2019

    Opera Singing Masterclass with Prof. Claudia Eder and concert of the participants Museum of the National Theater in Belgrade 25.-28. January 2019 ​ After a successful and well-attended Rossi Fest 2018 Opera singing masterclass, we have decided to include the Opera singing masterclass in the next festival edition as well. This time Rossi Fest will have the honor to welcome a renowned concert and operatic mezzo-soprano, professor of the College of Music in Mainz, and a member of the European Academy of Science and Arts - prof. Claudia Eder. The participants will have three individual sessions with Professor Eder and a pianist, and at the end of the course, a concert will be held at the Museum of the National Theater in Belgrade. ​ Claudia Eder has studied Singing and the Violoncello at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater München and the Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Frankfurt am Main . Her studies were continued in Milan and Budapest. She debuted at age 25 in the role of La Muse / Niklausse in The Tales of Hoffman . This was followed by appearances at the Hessischen Staatstheater in Wiesbaden as well as the Staatstheater am Gärtnerplatz . Following this, she appeared at the Deutsche Oper am Rhein in Düsseldorf and the Volksoper Wien . Countless guest contracts led Claudia to the major European and international stages , these included appearances in Barcelona, Madrid, London, Turin, Venice, Rome, Paris, Geneva, Antwerp, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Tokyo. ​ She has also worked with the Salzburger Festspielen, the Wiener Festwochen , the Donaueschinger Musiktagen, and the Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival . Claudia Eder received a professorship for Singing at the Hochschule für Musik Mainz. Here she founded the 2004 International Summer School Singing Summer and in the year 2010 BAROCK VOKAL , an excellent program for aspiring Opera and Concert Singers. Alongside this, she also teaches Masters courses locally and internationally. In the year 2009, under her leadership, the Department of Singing was awarded the prize Leistungen in Studium, Lehre und künstlerischer Entwicklungsarbeit by the Exzellenzwettbewerb des Landes Rheinland-Pfalz. She has since 1991 been working as a project leader, stage director, and vocal coach for the Internationale Festival für junge Opernsänger by the Kammeroper Schloss Rheinsberg. Besides her plethora of tasks, Claudia Eder is also active on international stages as a song and concert singer. Her repertoire reaches from the Renaissance over the Barock era reaching into the Modern era of the genres opera, song, and oratorio arts. Claudia Eder is a member of the Akademie der Wissenschaften, Literatur Mainz und Musik, and also a member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts . ​ 1/4

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