Europe Symphony – Theatre City Budva

On Thursday, July 9, at 9:00 PM, the music programme of City Teatar will continue at the Between the Churchesstage with the premiere performance of Europe Symphony, a work by acclaimed artists Darko Nikčević and Srđan Bulatović, who will perform with the Boka Symphony Orchestra under the baton of distinguished composer and conductor Mladen Tarbuk.

The guitar duo Srđan Bulatović (Doctor of Classical Guitar) and Darko Nikčević (flamenco guitarist and Master of Audio Technology) have earned international recognition for their exceptional virtuosity and dynamic performances, including two highly acclaimed concerts at Carnegie Hall in New York in 2016 and 2017. Their distinctive musical expression combines irregular Balkan additive rhythms with the beauty of the Mediterranean and the mysticism of the Orient, firmly rooted in Montenegro’s traditional musical heritage. They have been performing worldwide for 35 years, and their compositions are distinguished by a remarkable diversity of style, technique, and expression. They have released albums on the international labels Naxos Records and Navona Records, while their music has been broadcast by prestigious radio stations including BBC Radio 3, as well as numerous broadcasters across Europe and the United States.

The Boka Symphony Orchestra is an artistic ensemble founded in the Bay of Kotor with the mission of promoting and advancing symphonic music in the region, while bringing together some of the most promising and distinguished musicians from Montenegro and beyond. The orchestra draws upon the rich cultural heritage of Kotor, Tivat, and Herceg Novi — towns of the Bay of Kotor with a long and significant musical tradition.

The orchestra brings together instrumentalists from different generations, ranging from established artists and educators to emerging young talents, fostering an intergenerational exchange of knowledge and experience while further enriching the cultural life of the Bay of Kotor. In its artistic work, the orchestra performs under the baton of distinguished composer and conductor Mladen Tarbuk, ensuring a high artistic standard and interpretative consistency.

Europe Symphony is a large-scale contemporary symphonic work rooted in the traditional symphonic sound of European classical music, enriched by expressive melodies and a contemporary musical language. Across five movements, the composition explores a diverse range of musical landscapes, combining classical form with a distinctive and highly personal compositional voice.

The work is characterised by unusual rhythmic patterns inspired by local traditions and recognisable Balkan elements, as well as a fresh orchestral palette that brings richness and variety of tone colour. The music develops a clear relationship between structure and expression, building tension and dynamics through carefully shaped thematic sections. Europe Symphony represents a fusion of tradition and contemporary expression, shaped through a unique artistic voice that reflects the diversity and energy of Europe’s cultural landscape.

The official release of the Europe Symphony album is scheduled for February 20, when it will be released by the American record label Navona Records.

The concert will also feature the concertante work Oro, composed for two guitars and symphony orchestra and inspired by Montenegro’s traditional heritage and the spirit of togetherness. The piece draws on the energy and symbolism of the traditional kolo circle dance as an expression of collective strength, rhythm, and connection.