Zagreb, 28 November 2025 – At the conclusion of the Cantus Ensemble’s concert held on 24 November 2025 in the Small Hall of the Vatroslav Lisinski Concert Hall, the ensemble’s artistic director, Berislav Šipuš, announced a major piece of news that will mark the Cantus Ensemble’s 25th anniversary season.

 

Following the return of Irvine Arditti – one of the most significant violinists of contemporary music – to perform with the Cantus Ensemble, this time as soloist in Quad by Pascal Dusapin (his first appearance with the ensemble having taken place in 2020, in a work by Hilda Paredes), Maestro Šipuš revealed the result of a long-standing and fruitful collaboration.

 

“After Irvine Arditti’s second performance in the Cantus Ensemble’s concert season, something happened that will undoubtedly leave a profound imprint on the celebratory year of 2026. That year marks the 25th anniversary of the only Croatian ensemble that has, for a full quarter-century, systematically championed contemporary music by Croatian composers of all generations, as well as New Music by international authors. We have reached a significant agreement, born of mutual desire and satisfaction with everything we have accomplished together – we played side by side, bringing to life the music that Hilda and Pascal committed to paper… and we enjoyed it! We enjoyed it so much that we wished to continue working and making music together again – and more often.

Therefore, it is my great pleasure to announce that Maestro Irvine Arditti will be the resident guest soloist and concertmaster of the Cantus Ensemble throughout the entire 2026 season!” Šipuš declared with enthusiasm, adding that this is the perfect gift for the ensemble’s 25th birthday.

 

“We are happy, honoured, and profoundly excited to work with one of the greatest violinists of the 20th and 21st centuries. Together with him, and learning from him, we will perform works by composers of both past and present centuries, as well as premiere new pieces that will soon arrive at the music stands of Cantus Ensemble’s musicians – including this music stand, the first one, at which Irvine Arditti himself will be seated!”

 

Berislav Šipuš extended his warmest welcome to Maestro Arditti, both personally and on behalf of the Cantus Ensemble.

 

This important announcement heralds a year filled with new collaborations, world premieres, and intensified artistic exploration. Arditti’s arrival affirms the Cantus Ensemble’s international reputation and opens a jubilee chapter in which contemporary music finds a renewed and powerful anchor.

 

The Cantus Ensemble proudly enters 2026 – a year in which the first music stand will belong to none other than Maestro Irvine Arditti.