BANJALUČANKE CHOIR WINS GOLD MEDAL AT COMPETITION IN ITALY

BANJA LUKA, OCTOBER 26 /SRNA/ – Banja Luka-based women’s chamber choir "Banjalučanke" has won a gold medal in the traditional music category at the prestigious 23rd International Choral Competition "Venezia in Musica" in Italy.

Under the artistic direction of composer and conductor Mladen Matović, the Banjalučanke choir performed as the only representative of Republika Srpska and BiH at this major international competition, which this year brought together reputable choral ensembles from Romania, Germany, South Korea, Poland, Estonia, Croatia, Italy and the Czech Republic. The competition began on October 23and was held in the unique setting of St. Stephen’s Cathedral. The ensemble’s soloists were Žaklina Gligorić, Jelena Vulin and Marija Popović. Instrumentalists Mladen Janković /piano/ and Andrej Petković /percussion/ also performed in two pieces. Matović pointed out that, following the choir’s gold medal and victory in the same category in Finland, this was the second major accolade for the Banjalučanke choir this year. "We are happy and proud that we have maintained a consistent record of high-quality performances on the international choral stage at yet another major competition," Matović told SRNA. He congratulated the choir members on the tremendous effort, love and dedication they had invested in earning this, the ensemble’s twenty-second international award. Matović added that, following its participation in the competition in Venice, the women’s chamber choir "Banjalučanke" would devote all its activities during the remainder of the season to preparations for celebrating a major milestone: its 50th anniversary. "The celebrations will include the preparation and organisation of a grand gala concert at Kastel Fortress, featuring friends, guests and all previous generations of the ensemble. The accompanying programme will also include the recording of a new album, the publication of a commemorative monograph, the organisation and opening of a special exhibition dedicated to this important gold jubilee," Matović said.