This summer, The European Master Orchestra made its debut appearance at the famed Histria Festival in Pula, Croatia. The opening Gala concert featured an impressive line up of internationally renowned soloists. Stefan Milenkovic, violin (USA) performed Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto with élan and technical mastery. Croatian tenor Tomislav Muzek endeared himself to the 2000-plus opening-night audience with his smooth, lyric voice and expressive singing of Neapolitan arias.
Lidia Horvat Dunjko, lyric soprano also from Croatia impressed the listeners with the ease with which she negotiated difficult technical passages. The young Croatian cellist Stjepan Hauser, played with enthusiasm, at times succumbing to the challenges of speed. But his music making and heart were obviously in the right place. The orchestra, lead by Hermine Park who substituted for Hacko, played with strength and agility and showed special ensemble unity in Rossini's William Tell Overture. EMO's Music Director Zvonimir Hacko praised the leadership of the festival for innovative programming and in particular for the stunning setting of the festival. "Histria Festival is now in its 9th season -- a well established and well proven international manifestation. As such it boasts one of the most magnificent settings one can find for such an event" states Zvonimir Hacko. "The sense of history, the towering walls of the old colosseum are truly an impressive place to do music-making" -- concludes Hacko.
Soloists: Milenkovic, Muzek, Dunjko, Hauser; conductor Pack
EMO's 2008/9 Concert Season |
