Harmonious Slavonia is off to represent Croatia in Russia.
The award-winning girls’ singing group Brevis from Osijek has been invited, as the only Croatian representative, to a major world singing competition – the 3rd World Children and Youth Choral Championship – which will be held in Saint Petersburg in Russia from 15 to 20 February, reports Glas Slavonije on January 16, 2016.
The competition will be an excellent opportunity for young singers from Osijek to present Croatian music and arts. “The singing group will compete in the under-25 category, and the competition will take place in four stages, with four different musical programs. Brevis will perform pieces from its usual repertoire, but also some songs which we have especially rehearsed for this occasion. The competition will include 38 choirs from Europe and the former Soviet Union”, says Antoaneta Radočaj-Jerković, the conductor and artistic director of the Brevis singing group.
Brevis is one of the best known and most successful Croatian girls choirs. So far, they have performed a series of concerts in Croatia and abroad, winning numerous awards for their efforts. For the last 20 years, they have been very successful ambassadors for the city of Osijek. “The choir has taken part at international competitions and we have won numerous medals and awards. In Russia, we will be presented by a choir composed of about forty singers between 14 and 25 years old”, says Rodočaj-Jerković.
However, there is just one problem – how to pay for the trip to Russia. Therefore, the choir has decided to launch several initiatives in order to collect donations. “Brevis and Friends” is the title of a charity concert which will be performed by the choir, accompanied by Davor Dedić on piano and numerous musical guests. The concert will take place at the Croatian National Theatre on 24 January, with all proceedings from ticket sales going to the choir.
The ladies of the Brevis singing group have many times confirmed that they are the pride of Osijek and entire Croatia. Therefore, we can only hope that their initiative will be a success and that they will be able to travel to Russia to demonstrate that Osijek and Croatia truly belong to the very top of the world choral singing.
