Maestro Riccardo Muti gave an unforgettable Gala concert to Sarajevo

Last night, in the crowded hall of the Sarajevo National Theater, the central ceremony marking the 100^th  anniversary of the Sarajevo Philharmonic was held, a gala concert conducted by the Maestro Riccardo Muti, one of the greatest conductors of today. The audience enjoyed performances of two famous symphonies, no. 7 by L. van Beethoven and no. 9 by F. Schubert, while the square in front of the National Theater was also crowded, with many citizens watching this musical spectacle on two large LED screens.

There are few cities in the world that can boast of a centuries-old tradition of symphonic music. The Philharmonic leader Vedran Tuce emphasized that the arrival of maestro Muti represents the best possible birthday present for the Sarajevo Philharmonic.

Let us recall that the famous Italian conductor was one of the first big international musicians to visit the destroyed city after the signing of the peace agreement, and this is his third tour to Sarajevo. In 1997, he led a concert in the Skenderija hall with the orchestra and soloists of the Milan Scale, and in 2009, he conducted the concert “Paths of Friendship: From Sarajevo to Sarajevo” with the orchestra and choir “Maggio Musicale Fiorentino” in a crowded Zetra.

“I am happy that I came back, and in the orchestra I saw ten musicians who played with me in 1997. At a time when the world is in crisis, we must know that culture is an important instrument that will raise new generations”, said Riccardo Muti.

The gala concert of the Sarajevo Philharmonic was supported also by the Office of the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The orchestra received instruments worthy of an institution of this importance. These are two top quality double basses, models Milano and Corleone, which were made using traditional methods in the renowned workshop of Björn Stoll in Germany. In honour of the Sarajevo Philharmonic’s 100^th anniversary, the EU Office has also donated a foldable stage, which will provide the Philharmonic with more flexibility for settings both in Sarajevo and while on tour.

The concert was attended also by the Head of the EU Delegation and EU Special Representative Ambassador Johann Sattler noted: “Maestro Muti is one of the greatest conductors alive, a prominent voice for peace and tolerance, and a true friend to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Even in the darkest days of Sarajevo’s history, this city’s residents never gave up on culture, and I know how much this concert means to Sarajevans. Culture is a great unifier and support for culture is a core EU value. I am thrilled that the EU Office in BiH was able to provide support for the Sarajevo Philharmonic on the orchestra’s 100th anniversary.”

Support to the Sarajevo Philharmonic was provided through the “EU for Local Communities” project funded by the European Union with the aim of improving living standards and strengthening the capacities of small communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The project is implemented by the Center for the Promotion of Civil Society (CPCD) with the partner organization Help.

“The concert of the Sarajevo Philharmonic with maestro Muti is certainly, first of all, an outstanding artistic and musical spectacle, but the arrival of maestro Muti in Sarajevo is actually much more. During his last visit to Sarajevo, he was given the key to our city. Last night, he was given the key of the Sarajevo Philharmonic heart, made by BiH artist Adis Fejzić, and asked him to open a new concert hall when he comes to Sarajevo again. The new concert hall will be the home of the Sarajevo Philharmonic” said director Vedran Tuce after the concert and added, “I would like to thank all friends, partners and sponsors who contributed to our birthday concert being realized at a truly enviable level”.