Cantus Ensemble enters 2026 in a festive spirit, inaugurating the celebration of its landmark 25 years of artistic activity with a concert that also marks the third event of the 2025/2026 season cycle. This evening symbolically opens the Ensemble’s jubilee year, celebrating an ensemble that, over a quarter of a century, has grown into one of the central protagonists of the contemporary music scene.

 

The concert will take place on Monday, 2 February 2026, at 8 p.m., in the Small Hall of Vatroslav Lisinski Concert Hall. Joining Cantus Ensemble will be distinguished soloists: Martina Gojčeta Silić, a mezzo-soprano of compelling interpretative presence and a frequent guest on the most prominent national concert and opera stages; Ana Batinica, a flautist recognised for her pronounced musicality and dedication to contemporary repertoire; and Toni Nežić, a bass-baritone of refined vocal expressiveness and a leading interpreter of contemporary vocal-instrumental works.

 

The concert is led by Maestro Berislav Šipuš, who this year also proudly celebrates 25 years as Artistic Director of Cantus Ensemble, a role he has held since its very founding in 2001. The evening brings yet another “gift” in this celebratory year: it is the first in a series of concerts to feature the world-renowned violinist Irvine Arditti, who will serve as guest concertmaster of Cantus Ensemble in 2026.

 

The programme offers a dramaturgically cohesive selection of works by contemporary Croatian composers Sanda Majurec, Stanko Horvat, Ruben Radica, Franjo Parać, Berislav Šipuš and Srećko Bradić, with special emphasis on the world premiere of Lorem Ipsum by Krešimir Seletković, written for bass-baritone and ensemble. Also on the programme is Ich vergesse dich nicht by Srđan Dedić. This work reflects the many friendships, encounters, and exchanges with people of diverse cultures—symbolically mirroring an essential aspect of the Cantus Ensemble’s activity and its numerous international appearances over the past 25 years.

 

“Our first concert in 2026 will mark the beginning of a series of performances in which, almost at every appearance, we will look back on everything we have experienced over 25 years—as an ensemble, as musicians and as people. In this, we are supported by composers who have all written for us,” announces Maestro Berislav Šipuš.

 

With this concert, Cantus Ensemble not only opens a new concert year, but also a year of celebration—a year in which its rich history will be honoured while reaffirming its enduring commitment to contemporary creation, world premieres and artistic exploration.

 

Tickets are available at the Vatroslav Lisinski Concert Hall box office and online at lisinski.hr.