The powers of the choirs, soloists and philharmonic orchestra were joined together in an impressive performance that will be remembered by all.
The performance of Verdi’s Requiem in Lisinski’s great hall was dedicated to the memory of Ana Rukavina and Vjekoslav Šutej. The Concert for Life was organized by the Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra and the Ana Rukavina Foundation under the auspices of the President of the Republic of Croatia Ivo Josipović and the City of Zagreb. The homage to Ana Rukavina and Vjekoslav Šutej was another miracle which was reflected in the impressive turnout of performers. Their dedications were at the same time thunderous and intensively subtle. The public responded with the purchase of tickets which ensured about 100,000 kuna for the Foundation. The end of the concert was followed by a long applause.
The entire ensemble was lead by conductor Ivan Repušić, who obviously wanted to pay personal homage to his own professor Šutej. The Goran choir was not enough. To show their good will, the Goran choir was joined by members of the Opera Choir of the Croatian National Theatre and the Music Academy of Zagreb, thus the Dies irae, the Days of Fury threatened to shake the walls of the concert hall. However, the choir leader, Luka Vukšić, knew how to instruct the performers that solemn tones were better suited to the musical piece and the occasion then unnecessary shouting.
Verdi’s Requiem is a popular piece, which has been performed over and over again, but every new performance is a new experience. Major contrasts, sudden and dramatic passages and Repušić’s clever use of the great ensemble’s powerful sound created a strong effect. But, it would not be a proper Verdi’s Requiem without soloists. All four of them were aware of the importance of the event, and for some of them, it was the first time they appeared in the demanding roles. That is why we have to take our hats off to them, especially the female duo – Adela Golac Rilović and Martina Gojčeta Silić. By the end of the performance the excellent tenor Zoran Todorovich proved to be another great revelation, as soon as the initial strain, linked with the great demands, subsided. They were also joined by the experienced Giorgio Surian.
Despite the possible objections to the performance of such a majestic piece, the superb achievements of all the performers clearly demonstrated their awareness of the importance of the evening and how special the event was for everybody.
Source: Maja Stanetti – “Večernji list” April 1, 2010