The Croatian Academy of Music announced its 2026/27 season on Tuesday. Around 10,000 people attended the academy's previous season, and Dean Srđan Filip Čaldarović highlighted that the academy's concerts and productions are of high quality.
Čaldarović stressed that the academy's concerts and productions are free of charge, making them accessible to everyone. The goal, he said, is to open the doors of the academy to a wider public with a rich and diverse programme through these offerings. He stated that a concert is an unforgettable experience that will be remembered.
According to him, the academy encompasses diverse productions, including operas, symphonic and chamber concerts, ensembles ranging from string and percussion to wind and string quartets, choirs, and jazz orchestras. "We aim for the academy to be an even more open place for the meeting of education and art, students and established artists, domestic and international scenes, tradition and new artistic perspectives," he said.
The new season will feature 17 concerts by the academy's ensembles in the Blago Berša Hall and two concerts by the symphony orchestra in the Lisinski Hall. Also planned are 19 concerts across the Vivat academia, Vivante professors and Virtuoso cycles, as well as the Anabasis organ festival. In collaboration with the Croatian National Theatre, a project involving students from the arts academies is being prepared, which, after its premiere, will tour in Portugal. This year's opera project is Conversations of the Carmelites by Francis Poulenc, directed by Lee Anastasia Fleger, with Herve Niquet conducting.
The Croatian Academy of Music continues its collaboration with the Croatian National Theatre, the Croatian Radio and Television, the Croatian Philharmonic, and others. The International Josip Nocturne Competition and the International Singing Competition Milka Trnina will be held again. A new feature is the Alumni cycle, which brings together former students, now successful musicians, who will perform. Among the announced guests for the new season are pianists Anchi Mai and Vincenza Maltempa.
The international activities are expected to be marked by cooperation with China, on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the signing of economic, trade, and cultural agreements between China and Croatia, with the possibility of mutual guest appearances. The Pro-Dean for International and Inter-institutional Cooperation, Renata Penezić, announced a special residence for the Yamaha CFX, the most valuable, largest, and best concert piano by Yamaha. The CFX will be hosted in the Blago Berša Hall, where a series of events will take place, including the Birthday of Art on 16 January, in collaboration with other artistic components of the university. Entry to all is free, except for the Lisinski Saturday concerts and the Resident cycle, which are realized in cooperation with the Croatian Radio and Television.
