The famous Riccardo Muti in Sarajevo

Warm-hearted Welcome

Fascinating maestro astonished audience with the performanse of Beethoven and Brahms in Sarajevo, confirming that the paths of music are devine and without borders


By TIJANA ĐURIČIĆ
from Belgrade, SERBIA


Riccardo Muti - the icon of the 20th century opera conducting, the pride of the Italian and the Austrian style, the famous authority of the Napoleon capacity, which dazzles bears with the magic knowledge and accuracy, held a concert on the 13th July in Sarajevo. Concert of the Choir and Orchestra of Maggio Musicale Fiorentino and Balkan artists under the clear hand of Maestro, gathered in Sarajevo hall Zetra 600 musicians and about 7000 auditors. Spectacle Roads of friendship is a cycle of concerts of classical music throughout Europe / Middle East over the past 12 years. Started in Sarajevo in 1997 and completed in 2009.

Concerts are held in charitable purposes, as an appeal to help children affected in war situations. Although often urge of an artist to engage in humanitarian work end up wise and well rarely. Namely, if you perform to for the children of one side, the other ones are directly discriminated. This underlines inequality and a noble desire becomes a weapon of manipulation and financial power. For example: although Pavarotti, Careras and Mehta had an enlightening influence in spreading the classical music throughout the world, Plasido Domingo is the only one who showed true humaneness, always insisting that all the children are equal and that he would not sing for only one side.

So, this concert brought together children of all religions and nationalities, but as organized in Sarajevo, income is divided only in the Catholic and Muslim part (for the purchase of musical instruments of students-ballet school "Amadeus" in Sarajevo, for the scholarship for the children with special needs and children, victims of war).

The quality of the concert is not called into question. Scheduled for 9 AM, it started with 15 minutes delay, which gave the audience the opportunity to park easily in front of the huge hall and to take their place. Although bright and wonderful, skillful technical cover of the Hall (RAI), stage visual solutions have been ignored. The Zetra is a sport hall, and the audience sat on wooden chairs watching the choir trying to stand or sit on the uncovered seats.

Immediately after the anthem of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Italy, the mayor of Sarajevo Alija Behmen had given the "Key of Sarajevo'' to Muti.

"I know that you do not need the key of Sarajevo because you already have the key of our hearths. You have opened them with your music. '' said Behmen and Muti responded: "Culture is what connects and unites. You, in Sarajevo and Bosnia and Herzegovina are proof that culture could unite people. Also it helps to save your identity. Only through art we can cherish humanity, nobility and beauty. So, we should all be turned to music."

Nicely showing off with well Italian manners and refinement, with a dark baritone Muti introduced the audience to the upcoming world of Brahms, Beethoven and Verdi. Rhapsody for contralto (Daniela Barcellona), Male Choir and Orchestra and Destiny song calmed down the diverse audience (political guests, diplomats, prominent artists and students). Excellent compositions that carry heavy melancholy of Mahler, pressurised harmony of Wagner and Romanticism poetics, were alleviated with incomprehensible German pronunciation, but hoisted with the exciting voice of the convincing guest.

The third Beethoven symphony, ''Eroica'' was brilliant. Demanding, powerful, squalling offered a universe of imagination. Muti surpassed his own soul - a moderate, precise, inspired easily led a large ensemble that breathed with him. For each error announcement, he pre-reacted with the new impulse of enthusiasm. Divine piano and powerful forte nourished the souls and built comprehensive picture of clear impressions. Features of the large conductors are that they can extract the best from each musician and get the maximum of the orchestra in creating one instrument of many colours. In the border of the Beethoven concept, but with excessive personal explanations Muti allured smile and tears of the audience.

As a biss par excellence, the choir of the Jews from the Verdi's Nabucco was chosen and sang by 11 choirs (children, student and professional). Convulsively, painful and sublime. Due to technical dislocation, children's voices are heard as the strongest achieving the effect of heterogeneity and supernatural purity. White, clear voices persuaded more than the powerful ones of educated singers.

Great desire to give excellent aesthetic senses to experience, in the time when spectacle and entertainment is almost only imperative in the creation, was really demanding aim which led to a terrific night of professionally performed music and satisfied audience.

It had to be celebrated in a trendy style - the cocktail party with a lightshow in the Museum!


(Published: 20.08.2009.)