The sixteenth edition of the ArT Novi International Festival opens on Tuesday, 14 July, at 21:00 in the church of St Philip and St James in Novi Vinodolski. The opening performance features the Slovenian harp quartet SIH4rps with the programme L'estro armonico.
The quartet was founded in 2024 and brings together four harpists. Alongside Urška Križnik Zupan, solo harpist of the Slovenian Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra, and Marija Gamboz, solo harpist of the SNG Opera and Ballet Ljubljana Orchestra, Tea Plesničar and Lara Hrastnik Samec are also performing. The two represent the younger generation, regularly collaborating with orchestras in Slovenia and Austria, and teaching in Ljubljana and Krško.
According to the organisers, the ensemble is distinguished by its technical standard, refined interpretations, and cohesion, as evidenced by its rich concert activity. The harpists pay particular attention to encouraging Slovenian composers to write new literature for the harp quartet, thereby contributing to the development of Slovenian music for this instrument.
With a concert in the old town centre of Novi Vinodolski, the festival enters another summer season. Organisers invite residents and guests to attend the opening at the church of St Philip and St James.
