The 4th Noctes Aquae Iasae classical music festival in Varaždinske Toplice about to begin
- by croatiaweek
- in Entertainment
Noctes Aquae Iasae classical music festival in Varaždinske Toplice (Photo: TZ Varaždinske Toplice archive)
Cultural tourism is extremely important for the development and recognition of the Varaždinske Toplice destination.
The three-day Noctes Aquae Iasae classical music festival, organized by the Tourist Board of Varaždinske Toplice, will be held for the fourth time in the unique setting of an archaeological site.
The powerful voices of opera singers, who usually perform on the world’s most renowned stages, will shine with extraordinary beauty. The first evening, on Friday, September 6th, is reserved for Tomislav Mužek and Suzana Češnjaj.
(Photo: TZ Varaždinske Toplice archive)
On the second evening, September 7th, the Harlequin Art Collective will take the stage in the unique archaeological park, and the grand finale, the Opera Gala Baritenorissimo, will take place on Sunday, September 8th, featuring ten opera singers performing compositions by various composers, with piano accompaniment by the conductor Corrado Valvo.
All concerts begin at 7:30 PM, and admission is free.
Our best tenor, Tomislav Mužek, a frequent guest on the world’s greatest stages, and his wife, soprano Suzana Češnjaj, have chosen a kind of potpourri of romantic compositions for Friday.
In the first part of the concert, they will perform Italian canzonas, while the second part is dedicated to Croatian love songs, such as those from Tijardović’s operetta “Splitski akvarel” and Ruždjak’s “Lehka noć.”
On Saturday, the Harlequin Art Collective will present something completely new for visitors, blending the seemingly incompatible.
Five academic musicians will undoubtedly capture the attention of the audience, creating a new and unusual sound through the seemingly incompatible combination of instruments and voice. Their selection includes compositions by J.S. Bach.
The Opera Gala Baritenorissimo is a musical mosaic of ten musical artists who will, through solo performances or duets on Sunday, convey the centuries-old beauty of compositions by Croatian composers such as Ivan pl. Zajc and Jakov Gotovac, as well as Leonard Bernstein.
Performing will be Jelena Štefanić, Domagoj Dorotić, Martina Tomčić, Sofija Cingula, Marija Lešaja, Darija Gazdek, Simon Lee, Roberto Cresca, Jurica Kapun, and Davor Nekjak, with expert guidance by Corrado Valva.
Roberto Cresca (Photo: TZ Varaždinske Toplice archive)
The artists are also preparing a special surprise, a short concert for babies and small children on Saturday morning at 10 AM in the Atrium of the Old Town.
Sofija Cingula (Photo: TZ Varaždinske Toplice archive)
Artistic director of the Festival, opera singer Jelena Štefanić, recalled the beginnings: “The first edition of the festival took place four years ago. We were very happy because 300 visitors came, but the following year that number doubled. Thanks to the great feedback, the festival has lasted three days this year, just like last year. The wish of the organizers and mine is to make the archaeological site in Varaždinske Toplice an opera stage.”
Jelena Štefanić (Private album)
“By holding the festival, we are developing a new cultural tourism product. We want to offer extremely high-quality program content and eventually expand it to the entire year. By combining the musical artistry of renowned artists from world stages with the significant archaeological heritage, we aim to build the recognition of our small town in high cultural circles.
Martina Tomčić, Roberto Cresca and Jelena Štefanić (Photo: TZ Varaždinske Toplice archive)
Our goal is for this festival to become a meeting place for opera and culture lovers, recognized in this part of Europe for the importance and beauty of preserved and presented archaeological heritage,” emphasized Lana Husnjak, director of the Tourist Board of Varaždinske Toplice.
(Photo: TZ Varaždinske Toplice archive)
This event is held with the great support of the City of Varaždinske Toplice, the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Croatia, the Varaždinske Toplice Homeland Museum, and the Varaždin County, to whom the organizers extend their heartfelt thanks.
For program details and more information, visit: www.visit-toplice.com
