On Thursday, August 22nd at 9PM, in “Santa Maria in Punta” Church, with the concert of one of the leading pianists nowadays Simon Trpčeski, the music programme of the XXXVIII “Theatre City” is to be closed.
Simon Trpčeski
Simon Trpčeski is one of the most accomplished piano musicians of his generation. His stepping into the international scene happened twenty years ago, when he was chosen the one of BBC’s “New Generation Artists”. From there, followed the natural success of his career, while his music never knew any musical or overall cultural constraints. His stellar career until now included collaborations with about hundred orchestras on all four continents. The long list of world-renowned conductors Trpčeski joined forces with includes: Lorin Mazel, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Marin Asop, Gustavo Dudamel, Christian Macelaru, Gianandrea Noseda, Vasily Petrenko, Charles Dutoit, Jakob Hrusa, Vladimir Jurowski, Susanna Malkki, Andris Nelsons, Antonio Pappano, Robert Spano, Michael Tilson, Thomas Gabriel Bebeselea and David Zinman. Important is also his collaborating with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, especially under the leadership of Vasily Petrenko. It certainly has produced a large and fruitful discography.
In the ensuing season, Trpčeski is expected to be the Artist in Residence at: the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and the Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo respectfully. His performances on all four continents will include the collaborations with: the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, the Seattle and Detroit Symphony Orchestras in the US, the West-Australian Symphony Orchestra and the Seoul Philharmonic. Such an acclaimed and sought after recitalist as he is, Trpčeski was a guest to all the major concert halls including those in: New York, San Francisco, Washington, London, Paris, Amsterdam, Milan, Munich, Prague, Hamburg, Bilbao, Istanbul, Dublin and Tokyo.
In 2023/2024 season, we will be a witness to him opening the “Pianisten” in Mainz and performing recitals in: Milan, Monte-Carlo, Geneva, Edinburgh and Glasgow. A talented chamber musician, he also regularly performs at many prestigious festivals. Together with the violinist Maxim Vengerov, he ventured on to show his virtuosity in a string of recitals, with a special emphasis on the ones at: the “Barbican” in London, the “Carnegie Hall” in New York and the Paris Philharmonie.
With his project “Makedonissimo”, Trpčeski is dedicated to showing the rest of the world the true beauty of his native Macedonia, and its unique musical heritage. Assisted by the composer Pande Shahov, Trpčeski digs deep into the very roots of Macedonian folk music. Him collaborating with “Emi Classics”, “Avie Records”, “Wigmore Hall Live”, “Onyx Classics” and most recently “Linn Records”, has brought about diverse and award-winning discography. He is greatly supported by “Kultur Op”; Macedonia’s Organization for Arts and Culture, and therefore manages to achieve his goal of nurturing the Macedonian cultural heritage. Having been a lecturer at St.Cyril and St. Methodius University-Faculty of Music in Skoplje, he makes efforts towards bettering the next generation of young musicians in Macedonia. He also gives masterclasses worldwide, in order to further affirm and promote the Macedonian music and classical music in general. He has received the following awards: the Presidential Order of Merit for Macedonia (2009), the “National Artist of Macedonia” award (2011, of which he was the first recipient), the “Young Artist Award” (2003, honored to him by the Royal Philharmonic Society). Trpčeski was born in Macedonia. He graduated in Music at the St. Cyril and St. Methodius University in Skoplje (2002).
The works of Chopin, Grieg, Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev will be performed at the concert.
Theatre Programme
The same night at 6 PM on Wednesday, August 22nd , the play in a form of a guided stride Unreal City is to take place. It is written and directed by Vuk Ršumović and is the production of the “Theatre City” Budva. The venue for the play is the whole of the Old Town Budva.
“The Unreal City is a theatrical experience that breaks the traditional boundaries between the performer and audience. The play is realized in a form of a guided stride and that in the authentic atmosphere of the Old Town Budva. The audience is to follow the narration using headphones that will help create the world of imagination, eventually leading to the need for interaction with the environment, including the people present. It goes without saying that the audience is no longer a passive observer, but an active participant in a play and is encouraged to explore the surroundings, therefore influencing the development of the story-line. The project is a stepping stone towards the new field of contemporary theatrical expression, that blurs the boundaries between reality and fiction. The audience will have a chance to experience Budva in a unique and unforgettable way, not yet seen till now. When it comes to the theme of the play, the participants are motivated to think about their memories from a different perspective, thus moving their lives to a yet unexplored and exciting context for them. The goal is that in each and every member of the audience, the play should activate the memory in different ways. With the use of narration and their own memory and imagination, the participants will be transported to different new worlds. Our intention is to give the audience an unforgettable experience and forever imprint in their memory these impressions of the Old Town Budva”- states Ršumović in his directorial explanation.
Along with the writer-director Vuk Ršumović, the authorial team includes: Ana Tomović (assistant director), Jakov Munižaba (sound design), Andreja Hamović (the visual designs’ author) and Marija Liješević as the narrator. Ana Pavlović and Sunčica Babić are also a part of the play.
The oral testimonies of: Slobodan Bobo Mitrović, Dalibor Antonioli, Jerolim Dragičević, Ljerka Dragičević, Dragan Stefan and Marija Pjerotić were used as a documentary material.
The play Ureal City will also be a part of the repertoire on the 23rd, 24th and the 25th of August, at the same time.
The “Theatre City” Press-Office