Rossi fest Belgrade

​ ​ SUMMER OPERA ACADEMY 1 - 7 August 2023, Belgrade Rossi Fest, this time in cooperation with the organization Grand Stage International, organized the third edition of the Summer Opera Academy, during which intensive trainings were held for young solo singers from the country and abroad, with excellent vocal pedagogues and coaches. For the third time, Rossi Fest had the honor of collaborating with Olga Makarin, a longtime soprano of the Metropolitan Opera, and also with the conductor Adi Bar Soria. Apart from this team, the young singers also had the opportunity to work with excellent conductors and vocal coaches - Vlad Iftinca and Ugo Mahieux, who actively collaborate with the biggest opera names of today. Rosi Fest owes great thanks to the friends of the festival for their support: the Jewish Municipality of Belgrade, the Ministry of Culture, and the Legate of Josip Slavenski. ​ Artistic team: Olga Makarina soprano, vocal coach Adi Bar Soria conductor Vlad Iftinca conductor Stefan zekić conductor Ugo Mahieux vocal coach Ana Grigorović stage director 23L Direktor pozorista Opera Revue Der Schauspieldirektor W. A. Mozart August 7, 2023 at 8 p.m Jewish Cultural Center ​ ​ Der Schauspieldirektor (The Impresario ) Mozart's short comic opera, presents the life of opera artists behind the scenes. To create a new production, the theater management organizes an audition for singers. Behind-the-scenes actions determine the fate of the play and the theater. The Rossi Fest Summer Academy participants present themselves differently through the opera Theater Director. ​ ​ Performers: Director: Ana Grigorović Musical preparation: Stefan Zekić Production: Rossi Fest ​ Vuk Zekić, director Pavle Zharkov, assistant Ana Cvetković, Madam Sara Stefanović, debutante ​ The Baruch Brothers Choir ​ Participants of the Rossi Fest Summer Opera Academy: Marina Yureva (Russia) Rakefet Shik (Israel) Maria Mel (Israel) Nika Yankelevich (Israel) Ida Magarašević (Serbia) Eden Almog (Israel) Jovana Kovačević (Serbia) Olivera Gočanim (Serbia) Piano accompaniment: Vlad Iftinca (Romania / USA) Ugo Ma h ieux (Italy / France) ​ ​ Concert of the Opera Academy participants August 7, 2023 at 7 p.m Legacy of Josip Slavenski ​ ​ ​ Program: Spiel ich die Unschuld Arija iz operete Slepi miš J. Strauss Rakefet Sik Porgi, amor, qualche ristoro Arija iz opere Figarova ženidba V. A. Mocart Jovana Kovačević Batti batti o bel Masetto Aria iz opere Don Đovani V. A. Mocart Eden Almog Der Hölle Rache Arija iz opere Čarobna frula W.A.Mozart Ida Magarašević Sull'aria Duet iz opere Figarova ženidba V. A. Mocart Maria Mel i Eden Almog Ecco respiro appena Arija iz opere Adrijana Lekuvrer F. Čilea Nika Jankelevič O mio babbino caro Arija iz opere Đani Skiki Đ. Pučini Maria Mel Жизнь за царя Arija iz opere Ivan Susanjin M. I. Glinka Marina Jureva Belle nuit Duet iz opere Hofmanove priče Ž. Ofenbah Maria Mel i Nika Jankelevič Тихо над рiчкою Ukrajinska narodna pesma ar. G. Verovki Maria Mel i Nika Jankelevič ​ 23L Koncert polazika

​ ​ Gala concert Main Stage of the National Theatre in Belgrade 28. January 2018 ​ 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, overtures, 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. ​ ​Jewish Chamber Orchestra (Serbia) Jewish Chamber Orchestra was founded in 2012 by Ladislav Mezei in cooperation with the B'nei B'rit Lodge of Serbia. The orchestra members are professi onal musicians of Jewish descent and their friends. The JCO's primary purpose is to present the music of Jewish composers and others whose written work was inspired by Jewish themes. Their interpretations are related to the tradition, culture, and history of the Jewish community of Serbia. ​ More information about the Adi choir and the Baruh brothers can be found in the section of the concert Kol Ha`Olam Kulo . ​ ​

​ ​ 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

​ 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.

​ ​ Concert Portraits and Remembrance Commemoration of the International Holocaust Remembrance Day Jewish Community Belgrade 27. January 2018. ​ One of the most important part of the Rossi Fest program is a concert Portraits and Remembrance, organized on 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 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 organized 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.​ ​ ​ 1/3 Damjan Jovičin (1995, Belgrade) was born in 1995 in Belgrade. He finished his primary and secondary education in Prijedor, and is currently studying Master studies in composition at Faculty of Music in Belgrade in class of prof. Zoran Erić. He received commission from 49. Belgrade Music Festival (2017), as well as first prizes in composition at International student piano competition in Niš (2015), International pianist competition in Smederevo(2016), Festival Isidor Bajić in Novi Sad (2016). He participated international courses and seminars: Time of Music 2017(Finland), Soundmine 2017 (Belgium) Walden Creative Musicians Retreat 2016 (Dublin, New Hampshire, USA) , Days of Vlado S. Milošević (Banja Luka, Republic of Srpska), Showroom of Contemporary Sound 2015 (Zagreb, Croatia), Trstenice Symposium 2015 (Trstenice, Czech Republic) Ruidalsud 2015 ( Novi Sad, Serbia) i BEMUS 2017 (Belgrade, Serbia). He attended master classes held by: Michael Daugherty, Mark Applebaum, Aleksandra Vrebalov, Osnat Netzer, Wim Hendrickx, Renee Favande See, Nicholas DeMaison, Caroline Malonee, Alessio Sabella, Wolfgang Heiniger, Jeff Beer, Ivo Medek and Dimitris Andrikopoulos. Notable performances of Damjan’s compositions were given by : Orchestra of the RTS Serbian Broadcasting Corporation, Hermes ensemble, Choir of the RTS Serbian Broadcasting Corporation, Mivos quartet, Manojlović quartet, Zagreb Flute Ensemble, String Orchestra of Faculty of Music in Belgrade, Belgrade Guitar Duo and numerous soloists. His music is for now performed in USA, Belgium, Finland, Czech Republic, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia. ​ Psalm, for soprano solo (poetry by Paul Celan) Paul Celan was born in 1920 (Cernăuţi, Romania) as Paul Antschel into a family of German Jews. In 1941, after the German troops had marched into his hometown, he was taken and pressed into labour on building roads. A year later, his parents were sent to internment camp Mikhailovka. His father died of typhus, and his mother was shot after being exhausted by forced labour. This will later become the main motif in his poetry. Celan himself was also imprisoned in the work camp in Tabarest until 1943, when he managed to escape. Celan’s writings gained recognition across Europe in 1952, when he published the poetry collection Poppy and Memory (Mohn und Gedächtnis) that contains the poem Death Fugue (Todesfuge), and the theme - how to write poetry after Auschwitz - which was together with Adorno’s works discussed a lot in post-war Germany, emanated from the theme in this Celan’s poem. His wishes moved towards a correspondence / a tie between language and reality, within an individual’s private history, towards remaking the language out of its roots in direction of The same theme is present in Celan’s Psalm, the poem that is being studied at Yad Vashem - The World Holocaust Remembrance Center, and in which the author was initiated, by his own and his people’s painful history, to (re) discover the secret of the Divine. Music of the composition was formed through poetry’s philosophical and emotional experience. ​ Jug Konstantin Marković (1987, Belgrade) is a Serbian, Belgrade based composer. He believes in non-cerebral, impulsive, passion driven composing. Jug was born in Belgrade where he graduated at the Faculty of Philosophy and afterwards at the Faculty of Music Art in Belgrade. Apart from his principal teachers Vlastimir Trajković and Zoran Erić, he has been tutored multiple times by the British composer Michael Finnissy. In addition, he had attended masterclasses with renowned composers such as Enno Poppe, Georges Aperghis, Mark Andre, John Corigliano, Fabien Levy, Raphael Cendo, Jorge Sanchez-Chiong. He was a composer in residency at Snape Maltings, UK (supported by ENOA and Aldeburgh Music) in December 2017 where he was tutored by Mr. Finnissy on his piece incidAnces. His music was performed within important music festivals in Europe such as Donaueschinger Musiktage and Festival d'Aix-en- Provence. Marković is the winner of the TENSO young composers award 2017 and winner of the 3rd Anton Matasovsky Composers Competition in Vienna, for his piece Egon (Austria, 2017). He was also awarded the 1st prize at the Hong Kong International Percussion Convention Competition (China, 2016) for piece Hydra, the Special Prize at Busan Maru International Competition (South Korea, 2016) and Josip Slavenski prize (Serbia, 2015) for piece Magistralen. He attended Impuls Academy for Contemporary Music in Graz (2017), the 47th Darmstadt Summer Course, ManiFeste academy (Ircam 2017), TENSO young composers workshop 2017 (The Professional Network of European Chamber Choirs), Britten Pears Young Artists Program (2017) and Music Academy Donaueschingen (2014) and is a frequent participant of residency programs and workshops organized by ENOA (European Network of Opera Academies). His works were performed by ensembles such as: St. George Strings, Latvian Radio Choir, Construction Site New Music Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra of Serbian Broadcasting Corporation. His current projects include the development of the chamber opera Eurydice in the Underworld, based on the play/short story by Kathy Acker and supported by the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence. ​ Nirvana, for mixed choir The composition for choir "Nirvana"was composed, based on the text of the same name, written by the great Serbian poet, Vladimir Petković Dis. His poetry and the overall character of his life and work are closely related to the concept of war - tribulation and misery that it brings. The poem "Nirvana" follows the subject of Portrait and Remembrance", unequivocally paying respect to the victims of war. ​ Stefan Naerac (1992, Beograd) studied accordion in elementary and high school of music Dr Vojislav Vučković. He continued his education at Faculty of Music in Belgrade, firstly at Department for Ethnomusicology and later he was enrolled at Composition department in class of professors Zoran Erić and Branka Popović, where he currently pursues the final year of his Bachelor studies. Naerac also shows his interest in different genres including film music. His classical works are regularly being performed at festivals of the young composers (Koma, Festum), and they are also at the repertoire of numerous solo concerts. His composition for choir, Pepela, is presented as part of the paper Escalator to Parnassus at European University of Cyprus in Nicosia on the congress of musicologists and music theorists Modus, Modi, Modality in September 2017. This paper, written by Vladan Gecin, Vladica Mikićević and Nikola Komatović, studies how the youngest generation of Serbian composers approaches to Byzantine and Ancient Greek heritage. ​ Pugna interior, for chamber string orchestra was written in 2017, during Naerac’s third year of Bachelor studies. Its literal translation from Latin language means “the inner combat”, between good and evil, what is a kind of homage to victims of war (evil) in this world. A dualism is evident in musical, formal and dramatic planes of composition. The beginning of this work is calm, what is disturbed by the second theme and rough atmosphere in the middle. Third part brings the conflict of all materials, but this time with the atmosphere from the beginning and plenty lyrical moments. At the end, intrigue and uncertainty dominate. Was good or evil triumphant? Was evil transformed? And finally – are we aware what is good and what is evil? ​ Tamar Melani Šalit (1990, Jerusalem) is an Israeli composer currently pursuing her B.Mus. in composition at the Jerusalem Academy for Music and Dance. Born in Jerusalem, Tamar is a descendant of Holocaust survivors from Germany, Hungary and Poland. Tamar has been writing and performing from a young age, including singing in children choirs and studying voice at the Yellow Submarine Music High School in Jerusalem. Her chamber, choral, and orchestral music was performed by various ensembles at the Jerusalem Academy, where she studies at the Cross-Disciplinary Composition division. In 2015-2016 Tamar lived in Rio De Janeiro, where she researched the Afro-Brazilian popular culture through folk music and Capoeira, including singing , writing arrangements for concerts, movement and percussion performances. In 2016 Tamar started studying composition with professor Haim Permont at the JAMD. Since then, her compositions and arrangements were performed at the Sounds of the Desert festival (Tslilim Ba-Midbar) by Meitar ensemble, at a national conference and workshop of Israeli folk songs at Bar-Ilan University, and at the JAMD's project Composers Following Memories. In addition to her studies at the JAMD, she participated in workshops in Israel, Crete (Hudetzzi), and Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. Tamar's music is influenced by a wide range of genre including traditional and contemporary western music, Afro-Brazilian, Mediterranean and Israeli popular music. ​ Porcelaine, for women choir and string quintet (text: Terezija Wineorska) is based on my acquaintance with a special and strong lady - Miss Terezia Wineorska. We met at the Jerusalem Academys' project "Composers Following Memories" and the strong connection lasts until today. Terezia told me her life story through photos, maps and histories. Our special relation inspired my writing , and I chose several of her memories from the Holocaust to base on: "...To get porridge in white, clean porcelain dishes. After eating, for so long, things that are barely food, out of broken pieces of dishes that we found in the trash. Upon liberation I felt such happiness. Thankfully, I will never experience such powerful happiness again ­..." "...We, the girls, would go to work outside the camp (in Plaszow). When we returned we would wait for the Nazis to count us before entering the camp. One day in the winter, when we returned, there was heavy rain and the guards didn't want to go out. We waited there, shivering in the cold,lined up for the counting, and the tears mingled with the rain in silence..." "...And there was this song that I made up, and we would sing, the girls: Was it worth it? To go through this world? Was it worth it? To know that violent soldier? Was it worth it? Porcelain is dedicated to Terezia, with love. ​ Vladica Mikićević (1994, Kragujevac) studied piano at primary music school Kosta Manojlović and Music Theory Departement at high music school “Mokranjac” in Belgrade. She is currently pursuing the final year ofher Bachelor studies at Department of Composition in Faculty of Music in Belgrade in the class of Prof. TatjanaMiloševićMijanović, as well as the graduate year at Department of Music Pedagogy in the same institution. She participated at numerous national and international competitions, where she obtained numerous prizes, such are two laureates at Composer’s competition for the best piano work (Smederevo 2016 and 2017) as well as three second awards at Competition for comparative piano (Niš 2015, 2016, Novi Sad 2017). Mikićević participated at the Workshop for new music organized by prof. Branka Parlić. She cooperated with professorYinamLeef (who is currently holding the position of Jerusalim academy dean). Her compositions are being performed at numerous festivals and concerts, such are KoMA (Concert of Young Authors, Belgrade 2015, 2016, 2017); FESTUM (Festival of University students of Arts, Belgrade 2014, 2015, 2016); KozArs (Gradiška 2017); Summer Art Academy (Belgrade 2016); Concert at King Petar’s House (Belgrade 2015), “Scent of creation” (Belgrade 2017), etc. Mikićević was alsoa finalist of the international composer’s competition dedicated to Antonin Dvorak for two times (IADCC, Prague 2016, 2017). She was a contributor to paper Escalator to Parnassus, which was presented at the conference Modus-Modi-Modality in Nicosia, Cyprus in September 2017, which researches possible influences of Ancient Greek and Byzantine music on Serbian composers of 20th and 21st century. Mikićević was a years-long member of different choirs, such are Children Choir of Radio Television of Serbia, Academic Choir Lola, Academic Choir Collegium Musicum, etc. She is member of Serbian Composer’s Association. ​ Pictures of memories from Danube Street Elegie for solo soprano, violin and piano takes us back to WWII period, time in which my predecessors lived, to whom the lyrics and music are dedicated. Highlight of composition are sadness and pain for the family lost, warmth of home, careless childless that was destroyed due to war. All of that is kept in my heart, since it was conveyed to me through the word and picture. Final lyrics: I still remember, I recall, I do not forget, and they are with me here, in my living memoryrepresents my wish to have them here and now, while they live on in our memories.

​ 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

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 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

Erev Shel Shoshanim concert Jubilee concert on the occasion of the 145th anniversary of the founding of the Baruch Brothers Choir Atrium of the National Museum January 30, 2024, at 8 p.m ​ On the occasion of the 145th anniversary of the founding of the Baruch Brothers Choir, the oldest Jewish choir in the world, the final evening concert of Rosi Fest - Erev Shel Shoshanim (Evening of Roses) named after one of the most beautiful love songs in Hebrew, was held at the National Museum on January 30. The program of the concert is unique because it is inspired by love poetry written in Hebrew and by composers of Jewish origin. In the Atrium of the National Museum, on February 1 at 8 p.m., together with the Baruch Brothers Choir, the Jewish Chamber Orchestra, soloists Stefan Hadžić and Marko Živković, will perform under the direction of the festival director, Stefan Zekić. Entrance is free of charge. ​ ​ ​ The prog ram: E. Whitacre, F. Mendelson, G. Mahler, K. Berić Performers: The Baruch Brothers Choir Jewish Chamber Orchestra Conductor: Stefan Zekić ​ Soloists: Stefan Hadžić, baritone Marko Živković, tenor Stefan Zekić, dirigent He studied at the Faculty of Music in Belgrade in the departments of conducting and solo singing. At the same faculty, he has been employed at the Department of Conducting since 2022. Since 2009, he has been engaged as a conductor, accompanist, and conductor in the Opera Studio of the National Theater in Belgrade. He is the founder and artistic director of the early music ensemble Canticum Novum, conductor of the Jewish Chamber Orchestra since its foundation, and chief conductor of the Baruch Brothers Choir, with whom he won numerous national and international awards at prestigious festivals and competitions. He is the founder and director of Rossi Fest. He studied at the Faculty of Music in Belgrade in the conducting and solo singing departments. At the same faculty, he has been employed at the Department of Conducting since 2022. Since 2009, he has been engaged as a conductor, accompanist, and conductor in the Opera Studio of the National Theater in Belgrade. He is the founder and artistic director of the early music ensemble Canticum Novum, conductor of the Jewish Chamber Orchestra since its foundation, and chief conductor of the Baruch Brothers Choir, with whom he won numerous national and international awards at prestigious festivals and competitions. He is the founder and director of Rossi Fest. Stefan Hadžić, baritone He was born in 1989, in Belgrade, and started playing the piano at five. He studied piano at the Faculty of Music in Belgrade (2007-2011). At the same time, he graduated (2011) from the department of solo singing at the secondary music school Kosta Manojlović in the class of Prof. Nenic Nenada. In 2016, he completed his opera singing studies in Professor Klaudija Viska's class at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna. At the same University, from 2016 to 2019, he attended master's studies with prof. Florian Boesch. He is a scholarship recipient of the Thyll-Dürr Foundation from Switzerland. He performed at numerous solo concerts in Serbia, Croatia, Austria and Germany. He made his opera debut as Il Conte d´Almaviva in the university production of Mozart's opera Le nozze di Figaro (2014, Vienna). In 2019, he became a member of the opera studio of the Cologne Opera, and in 2021 he became a member of its ensemble. Since September 2022, he has been part of the opera ensemble of the State Theater in Kassel, Germany. So far, he has performed as a soloist in opera houses in Basel, Szczecin, Koblenz, Würzburg, Halle, and Hanover. Marko Živković, tenor He graduated in solo singing with Prof. Nikola Mijailović at the Faculty of Music in Belgrade. He participated and won prizes at various competitions in Serbia and neighboring countries and performed with various ensembles from Belgrade. Since 2014, he has been performing as a soloist at the National Theater in Belgrade, the Serbian National Theater in Novi Sad and the Madlenianum Opera and Theater in Belgrade and at various festivals. He performed in more than 15 opera titles. He also performed as a soloist with the leading national choirs in Serbia, the RTS choir, and he also performed two concerts with the Belgrade Philharmonic. The Baruch Brothers Choir ​ The Baruch Brothers Choir from Belgrade was founded in 1879 as the Serbian Jewish Singing Society. Eminent researchers claim that it is the oldest Jewish choir in the world. It changed its name to its current name in 1952, in memory of three brothers from the famous Baruch Jewish family from Belgrade, who died in the pogroms at the beginning of World War II. During its many years of work, the choir performed numerous concerts in all important music centers of Yugoslavia, while foreign guest appearances were performed all over the world, from Europe and Asia to concerts at Carnegie Hall in New York in 1978. The Baruch Brothers Choir is a regular participant in all the most important classical music festivals in the country and abroad, from which it regularly brings a number of awards and recognitions for its work. The choir was awarded twice by the Presidency of the Republic for its contribution to the cultural affirmation of the country, and it was led by some of the most important figures from the history of our artistic music. The choir's conductor, Stefan Zekić, and the choir's president, Branka Cvejić Mezei, are responsible for the extraordinary success that the choir has achieved in the last few years. The Jewish Chamber Orchestra The Jewish Chamber Orchestra was founded in 2012 by cellist Ladislav Mezei, in cooperation with the B'nei B'rit Lodge of Serbia, and the members of the orchestra are professional musicians of Jewish origin and their friends. The primary goal of the orchestra is to present the music of Jewish composers, as well as other composers whose works are inspired by Jewish themes, and the orchestra's interpretation is connected with the tradition, culture, and history of the Jewish community in Serbia.

Program 2021 ​ Sunday, January 24th National Theatre in Belgrade, Raša Plaović Stage 19:00 Opera: Bastien and Bastienne, W. A. Mozart Tuesday, January 26th Online event 19:00 Lecture by Prof. Ana Stefanović Psalm 137 in baroque musical interpretations ​ ​ Wednesday, January 27th YouTube premiere 19:00 Concert: Portraits and Remembrance Saturday and Sunday, January 30th - 31st Ilija M. Kolarac Endowment - Rossi Fest office 17-20h Masterclass by Olga Makarina Tuesday, February 2nd 19:00 National Theater, Main stage Opera: Carmen, a tragedy, G. Bizet Bastien and Bastijenna ​ Carme n Lect ure Olga Makarina Portraits and Remembrance PAMPHLET Festival program