Performers: Žana Marendić, mezzo-soprano
Gordan Tudor, saxophone
Zoran Velić, piano
Hari Zlodre, conductor and piano
Neda Pejković, soprano
Tina Matković, soprano
Matija Škiljo, bass-baritone
Stipe Gugić, actor-puppeteer
Mihael Elijaš, actor-puppeteer
SAX-UMAS, saxophone ensemble of the Academy of Arts in Split (director: Goran Jurković)
Solo singing students at UMAS from the class of Associate Professor Žana Marendić
Deni Pjanić, arranger
There are concerts that are just a series of performed compositions, and there are those that function as complete, thoughtful artistic visions. Renowned mezzo-soprano and vocal pedagogue Žana Marendić has prepared just such a deeply intimate and creatively rounded project called "Mon Voyage – La Belle Époque". Conceived as a real and spiritual itinerary at the crossroads of Paris, Berlin and Split, this program represents a journey that combines her personal artistic affinities with the historical and cultural routes once walked by greats such as Ivan Meštrović and Ivo Tijardović.
Joining forces with brilliant colleagues, renowned instrumentalists and ensembles from the Split Academy of Arts (UMAS), Professor Marendić approaches each number from multiple angles, creating a multi-layered semi-staged performance rich in theatrical and visual elements (including the engagement of actor-puppeteers). Her multidisciplinary approach will uniquely transform the Ivo Tijardović Concert Hall musically and visually to take us on this "journey of hers."
The musical roadmap for this evening is logical and intriguing. The first part takes us to the glittering Parisian salons and stages of La Belle Époque, bringing us anthological pages of French operatic lyricism and romanticism through the works of Bizet, Offenbach, Massenet and Saint-Saëns. From that era, the program subtly introduces us to the 20th century through the recognizable Parisian charm and melancholy of Francis Poulenc. The journey then moves to the decadent Berlin of the 1920s and 1930s through the sharp, satirical cabaret aesthetics of Kurt Weill, only to arrive under the sunny skies of Split in the grand finale. Here, the inevitable, eternal melodies of Ivo Tijardović await us, in which all the performers will unite on stage, rounding off this evening with a celebration of music and the Mediterranean spirit.
Georges Bizet: Open your heart.
Georges Bizet: L'amour est un oiseau rebelle (Habanera), aria Carmen from the opera Carmen
Georges Bizet: Les tringles des sisters tintaient (Chanson bohème), tercet Carmen, Frasquite and Mercédès from the opera Carmen
Gabriel Fauré: Barcarola no. 1 in A minor, Op. 26 (Zoran Velić, piano)
Jacques Offenbach: Beautiful night, oh night of love (Barcarola), a duet of Giulietta and Nicklausse from the opera Tales of Hoffmann
Jacques Offenbach: Les oiseaux dans la charmille, the aria of the doll Olympia from the opera Tales of Hoffmann
Jules Massenet: Go! Let my tears flow., Charlotte's aria from the opera Werther
Francis Poulenc: Improvisation No. 13 in A minor (Hari Zlodre, piano)
Francis Poulenc: Les Chemins de l'amour
Camille Saint-Saëns: dance macabre
Camille Saint-Saëns: My heart opens to your voice., Dalila's aria from the opera Samson and Delilah
Emile Paladilhe: Psyche
Kurt Weill: Nanna's Song
Kurt Weill: Und was bekam des Soldaten Weib?
Kurt Weill: youkali
Ivo Tijardovic: Tango hurts., from the operetta Queen of the ball
Ivo Tijardovic: Those are dumplings., from the operetta Queen of the ball
