The young virtuoso received an ovation from the orchestra after their first rehearsal
The Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra will open the BEMUS Festival on Thursday, October 16 at 8 p.m. at Kolarac Hall, with the performance led by the baton of conductor Carlo Ponti and joined by young double bassist Strahinja Mitrović. The repertoire features Italian music, from Puccini to Nino Rota’s symphonic and film compositions.
Performing for the first time with the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra, Serbian double bass virtuoso Strahinja Mitrović, a rising star on the international classical scene, will appear as soloist in Nino Rota’s cheerful Divertimento Concertante for Double Bass and Orchestra. After the first rehearsal, the remarkable energy between the soloist and the orchestra ended with a spontaneous round of applause from the Philharmonic musicians. Having spent the past six years studying abroad, Mitrović describes his debut with the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra as a dream come true:
The Belgrade Philharmonic has always been my benchmark for professionalism and artistry. It is a movement in every sense, which has endured through so many changes, both in Serbia and around the world. For me, the Philharmonic is an inspiration, not only artistically but also as an institution that continues to thrive in today’s artistic world. Even without its own concert hall, the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra still brings the international music scene to us through its many guest conductors and soloists. To now be part of that, performing with such an orchestra, at Kolarac, and at the opening of BEMUS, truly feels like a dream come true, says the young artist, and continues:
Being on the stage and performing with musicians who share the same feelings and understand each other through a glance or a gesture is a pure joy. When the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra gives a young musician such an opportunity, it is an enormous privilege and encouragement – a sign that I am on the right path. The energy during rehearsal was incredible, and the orchestra’s applause and warmth meant so much to me. This is my musical family, one I may not have seen for a while, but one that has always been there.
The opening performance of the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra will be directed by Maestro Carlo Ponti, the distinguished Italian conductor and son of the legendary actress Sophia Loren and film producer Carlo Ponti Sr. A world-renowned artist, Maestro Ponti is a frequent collaborator of Zubin Mehta, who has often spoken to him about the Belgrade Philharmonic, making him one of the orchestra’s admirers long before this debut.
The program for the opening of BEMUS celebrates Italian music, from Puccini’s Symphonic Prelude to Nino Rota’s Suite from La Strada, the beloved film score born from Rota’s collaboration with Federico Fellini and admired by the audiences worldwide.
