Premiere Concert “The Sound of Boka” Captivates Audiences and Marks the Emergence of Montenegro’s New Cultural Centre
Boka Kotorska and Montenegro are now richer for a new professional music ensemble – the Boka Symphony Orchestra – bringing together artists from Kotor, Tivat and Herceg Novi. Founded with the ambition to connect musicians from Boka and revitalise the region’s artistic and musical heritage, the orchestra aims to contribute to the visibility, identity and creative output of the area through classical and contemporary repertoire, as well as works by Montenegrin composers – particularly those originating from Boka.
The establishment of the orchestra was supported by the Municipality of Kotor, led by Mayor Vladimir Jokić, who highlighted the historical significance of this event during the premiere concert.
Premiere Concert “The Sound of Boka”: A Spectacular Evening in a Full House
The Boka Symphony Orchestra held its debut performance, symbolically titled “The Sound of Boka,” on 22 November at the “Nikola Đurković” Cultural Centre in Kotor, before a fully packed auditorium. The audience included visitors from all three municipalities of Boka, as well as other parts of Montenegro. Representatives of the Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra and the Montenegrin Symphony Orchestra also attended, lending support to the launch of this important ensemble.
The orchestra is led by director and flautist Andrea Živković, who oversaw the demanding process of gathering musicians – from experienced orchestral instrumentalists to young artists taking their first symphonic steps within this formation.
“The establishment of the Boka Symphony Orchestra is one of the most significant cultural moments in the recent history of Boka Kotorska. Our mission is to make high art accessible and to position Boka as a regional centre of artistic excellence. The orchestra sends a message to young people that top-level artistic creation is possible in their own town,” said Živković.
A Conductor of International Standing at the Helm
The premiere concert was conducted by Maestro Mladen Tarbuk, one of Croatia’s most distinguished composers and conductors. Educated in Graz, Zagreb and Vienna, Tarbuk has built a rich international career and held numerous leading positions in the region – including Director of the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb and President of the Croatian Composers’ Society.
He currently serves as Artistic Co-Director of KotorArt, Artistic Director of the Festival Orchestra of Montenegro, and Professor at the Music Academy in Zagreb.
A Diverse Programme: From Mozart to Composers of Boka
Held in honour of Kotor Municipality Day, the concert presented a thoughtfully curated repertoire. It included the overture from Mozart’s The Magic Flute, the second movement of Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9 From the New World, and three iconic arias:
Si, mi chiamano Mimì (La Bohème), Un bel dì, vedremo (Madame Butterfly), and Lehár’s Meine Lippen, sie küssen so heiß (Giuditta).
A special contribution to the evening came from works by composers originating from Boka – Ivan Brkanović and Borislav Tamindžić. Maestro Tarbuk prepared a new orchestration of Brkanović’s Bokeljsko kolo for mixed choir, while Tamindžić’s Igra was orchestrated by his son Aleksandar Tamindžić, adding an emotional dimension to the programme.
Soloists Impress the Audience
The audience was particularly moved by the performances of soprano soloists Petra Radulović and Milica Lalošević from Kotor, and Antonia Vučinović from Tivat. After the Montenegrin national anthem and a brilliant sequence of arias, the concert concluded with a deeply emotional encore – the beloved Bokeljska noć – met with prolonged applause.
A New Cultural Energy for Boka
The premiere confirmed strong public support for the orchestra, whose vision, quality and artistic ambition mark the beginning of a new cultural chapter for both Boka and Montenegro. The ensemble has already announced future collaborations and performances, with its next appearance scheduled for 1 January 2026 in Budva.
With this orchestra, Boka not only preserves its heritage – it is creating a new cultural energy that, as already evident, will shape the region for years to come.
