In the 2025/2026 season, Cantus Ensemble celebrates a quarter-century of dedicated work on the Croatian and international contemporary music scene. Over the past twenty-five years, the ensemble has become a synonym for the highest standards of interpretation, premieres of contemporary works, collaborations with leading composers and performers, and a vital platform for emerging voices.
The anniversary season will feature six concerts in the regular Zagreb concert cycle, along with a number of significant guest appearances and festival performances in Croatia and abroad. Central themes of the season include artistic collaboration, international exchange, key moments from the ensemble’s history, and a forward-looking focus through premieres and projects with young composers.
CONCERT SERIES AT LISINSKI HALL
Small Hall of Vatroslav Lisinski Concert Hall, Mondays at 8 PM
13 October 2025 – POLAND: YOUNG NEW MUSIC
The season opens with a concert dedicated to artistic exchange and international collaboration. Warsaw’s Hashtag Ensemble joins Cantus Ensemble to present selected works by Croatian and Polish composers.
24 November 2025 – TANT D’ANNIVERSAIRES!
The spotlight is on music for solo instrument and ensemble, featuring renowned violinist Irvine Arditti. The program includes works by celebrated anniversary composers: Ravel, Boulez, Scelsi, Berio, Dusapin, and Lanza.
2 February 2026 – A YEAR OF CELEBRATION: THE BEGINNING
The central anniversary concert offers a cross-section of works by Croatian composers closely associated with Cantus Ensemble—from Ruben Radica and Stanko Horvat to Frano Parać, Srđan Dedić, Sanda Majurec, and Srećko Bradić—with the world premiere of a new piece by Krešimir Seletković. Featured soloists: Martina Gojčeta Silić, Ana Batinica, and Marko Špehar.
2 March 2026 – AGED 20 YEARS: MUSICAL LINKS
Twenty years after a landmark tour in Sweden, Cantus Ensemble revisits that moment through renewed collaboration with Swedish composers and trombonist soloist Ivo Nilsson, who will also premiere a new work. The program includes a new piece by Davor Vincze, and works by Swedish composers Karen Rehnquist, Kent Olofsson, Jacob Mühlrad, and Helena Skljarov.
27 April 2026 – MUSICA DEGLI AMICI
Long-standing friendship with Italian musicians and composers is the focus of this April concert, featuring flutist Roberto Fabbriciani and award-winning young violinist Sara Mazzarotto, with soprano Darija Auguštan. Works by Giacomo Manzoni, Marcello Filotei, Cesare Valentini, Nicola Sani, and Rocco Abate will be performed, alongside world premieres by Giampaolo Coral and emerging composer Gaia Aloisi.
18 May 2026 – NEITHER YESTERDAY, NOR TODAY – ONLY TOMORROW
The final concert of the cycle is devoted to the next generation. Works by young Croatian composers—selected via Cantus Ensemble’s first open call (announcement coming soon!)—will be featured. Composers aged 35 or younger may submit new works or previously performed pieces. The call is inclusive, welcoming submissions regardless of academic background or formal composition training.
SPECIAL EVENTS AND GUEST PERFORMANCES
In addition to the regular Zagreb concert series, Cantus Ensemble’s anniversary year (which spans two concert seasons) will include numerous important guest appearances and collaborative projects that affirm its international presence and active role in shaping contemporary music across Europe. Programs will feature world premieres by Croatian and international composers, partnerships with contemporary music festivals, and celebratory events marking the ensemble’s 25th year.
A key focus will be further strengthening of ties with European ensembles, the formation of new partnerships, and the continued international promotion of Croatian music. Each of these events offers a unique encounter with audiences and the exchange of artistic ideas, culminating in a grand celebratory concert in December 2026 at Lisinski’s Great Hall.
Selected Appearances Outside Zagreb
28 September 2025 – Samobor Music Festival
Concert featuring works by Croatian composers written for Ferdo Livadić Competition winners (Jelaska, Tarbuk, Nježić, Juranić), and the premiere of the winning work from the New Note Composer Competition.
18 October 2025 – Warsaw / Hashtag Lab
Cantus Ensemble performs an all-Croatian program in Warsaw, including the new work by Dubravko Palanović (premiered at the season opener in Zagreb) and a joint performance with Hashtag Ensemble of a piece by Żaneta Rydzewska.
14–22 March 2026 – Stockholm / Svensk Musikvår Festival
A program of Swedish-Croatian connections, including the world premiere of Concerto for Trombone and Ensemble by Berislav Šipuš.
Summer 2026 – Osor Musical Evenings
Celebrating both the 50th anniversary of the festival and 25 years of Cantus Ensemble, the premiere of Violin Concerto by Danijel Legin will feature soloist Eva Mach.
LOOKING AHEAD: AUTUMN 2026
A joint performance with the Italian Icarus Ensemble featuring works by Croatian and Italian composers.
Titled Immigrant(s) Songs… She Wrote, this concert highlights the work of female composers active internationally: Sara Glojnarić, Margareta Ferek-Petrić, Veronika Reutz-Drobnić, Mirela Ivičević, and Ivana Kiš.
In a special edition of the Lisinski Saturday concert series, Cantus Ensemble will reunite over 60 musicians who have performed with the ensemble over the past 25 years. Guest soloists include mezzo-soprano Ivana Srbljan, LP Duo, and hornist Radovan Vlatković. The program will include the premiere of a new work by Tomislav Oliver, as well as music by Berio, Kelemen, and Penderecki.
WELCOME TO A SEASON CELEBRATING MUSIC, INNOVATION & COLLABORATION
Follow Cantus Ensemble at Lisinski Hall, across Croatia, and at major European festivals. In its 25th year, the ensemble remains dedicated to what has always defined it: bold interpretation of the finest contemporary music, and the creation of space for the voices of tomorrow.
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