The Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra is once again transforming its hall into a unique theatrical stage, commemorating its legendary director Ivan Tasovac with a renewed staging of Igor Stravinsky’s famous masterpiece The Soldier’s Tale, on September 26, 27, and 28 (Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra Hall, starting at 8 pm).
Featuring striking video materials showing Tasovac as the central protagonist of the 2021 production, the performance pays tribute to his many talents. The chamber ensemble, led by concertmaster Tijana Milošević, reunites with the creative team under director Nikola Zavišić, joined this year by actresses Dubravka Kovjanić and Vladislava Đorđević.
After the brilliant and inspired production four years ago, which was such a creative explosion initiated by violinist Tijana Milošević’s doctoral work in the form of a stage-concert interpretation of Stravinsky’s masterpiece, it sparked a wave of creation, supported by the visionary Ivan Tasovac, the legendary longtime director of the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra. In The Soldier’s Tale, Tasovac saw an opportunity to transform pure musical interpretation into a multimedia micro-spectacle, a chamber-stage fairy tale inviting the audience on a profound, inner journey through Stravinsky’s deliberately atonal, almost jazzy, dissonances – which Stravinsky boldly conceived as both morbid and joyful.
When he invited me to develop the concept and direct this work, it naturally became clear that Tasovac himself should embody the alpha and omega of the stage production. His talent, not only for music but also for performance, acting, and playful theatricality, made him the perfect presence for every character in the piece. The least we can do is remember him through the revival of the production in which he shone so brilliantly on the Philharmonic stage. This time, instead of one-of-its-kind Ivan, we have two outstanding actresses interpreting the Narrator: Dubravka Kovjanić and Vladislava Đorđević, alongside actress and dancer Una Đelošević, who also appeared in the 2021 production. The revival of The Soldier’s Tale brings with it the memory of Ivan Tasovac and his manifold talents and possibilities, so sadly cut short, but fortunately preserved in our minds, spirits, and hearts. For all of us. And especially for Tasa! said director Nikola Zavišić.
In this performance of Stravinsky’s The Soldier’s Tale, which skilfully combines music, drama, and dance, the musicians include Tijana Milošević (violin), Mihailo Samoran (clarinet), Sava Đurić (fagot), Slađan Cvejić (double bass), Jovan Savić (trumpet), Richard Wheeler (trombone), and Milorad Balić (percussion). The project team also includes costume designers Suna Kažić and Petra Fotez, video artist and editor Filip D. Mikić, with technical production by Sanjin Ćorović (Production Pool).
