Sasa Jakelic
Croatian Navy Orchestra
Conductor: Tonči Ćićerić

The Women's Day concert with Elvis Presley is designed as a dramaturgically rounded evening in which the romantic and reflective layer of Presley's oeuvre is viewed in a broader musical and cultural framework. The program begins with Strauss's famous Also sprach Zarathustra, and continues with anthological songs in which the influences of gospel, blues and country are recognized, shaped through a melodic idiom that was familiar to the mass audience of the mid-20th century. The uniqueness of this performance lies in the narrative approach - Saša Jakelić not only guides the audience through the musical repertoire, but also creates an intimate bond between the songs with a spontaneous story, revealing the background and private inspirations behind the well-known lyrics.

The central part of the evening brings a series of songs that encompass different phases of Presley's creative work: from early rock'n'roll (That's All Right, All Shook Up), through classics marked by introspection and more layered vocal expression (Are You Lonesome Tonight, Always on My Mind, Can't Help Falling in Love), to the great concert numbers of the later period (Suspicious Minds, If I Can Dream, My Way). The program is designed to alternate energy, lyricism and reflexivity, building a clear musical dramaturgy.

Saša Jakelić is one of those singers whose career has been shaped by a wide range of styles and performing experiences. He has worked in the fields of popular, operatic and traditional music, performed and won awards at the most important Croatian festivals, participated in the founding of the Šufit a cappella group and achieved numerous vocal collaborations. His opera training, including with Carlo Bergonzi, as well as his participation in the Operalia competition in Valencia, indicate a thorough vocal education, while his authorial and arranging work in popular music speaks of a clear sense of form, text and communication with the audience. It is precisely this combination of experiences that enables him to convincingly interpret Presley's songs, in which

The vocal line, melodic clarity and, above all, distinct emotional expressiveness are the key bearers of expression.

The Croatian Navy Orchestra, conducted by Tonči Ćićerić, creates a soundscape that gives Presley's songs concert breadth, and carefully crafted arrangements allow the popular repertoire to be transferred into a rounded orchestral context.

On the occasion of Women's Day, this concert offers an evening dedicated to songs that have accompanied the audience's strong emotions, memories and personal stories for generations. The well-known repertoire is interpreted here based on the vocal confidence and stylistic sense of the performers.

Richard Strauss: Also sprach Zarathustra Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup: That's All Right Otis Blackwell: All Shook Up Roy Turk / Lou Handman: Are You Lonesome Tonight Wayne Carson / Mark James / Johnny Christopher: Always on My Mind Gilbert Bécaud / Carl Sigman: What Now My Love Dennis Linde: Burning Love Mae Boren Axton / Tommy Durden / Elvis Presley: Heartbreak Hotel Barry Mann / Phil Spector / Cynthia Weil: You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' Mickey Newbury: An American Trilogy George Weiss / Hugo Peretti / Luigi Creatore: Can't Help Falling in Love Eduardo di Capua / Aaron Schroeder / Wally Gold: It's Now or Never George R. Poulton / Elvis Presley / Vera Matson: Love Me Tender Don Gibson: I Can't Stop Loving You Walter Earl Brown: If I Can Dream Mark James: Suspicious Minds Claude François / Jacques Revaux / Paul Anka: My Way