Commission to Mirela Ivičević

In 2027, the Croatian Music Institute, founded in 1827, will celebrate its 200th anniversary as well as the reopening of its historic concert hall, which underwent extensive renovation for five years following the 2020 earthquake in Zagreb. To mark the anniversary, the Institute is commissioning a new orchestral work from Croatian composer Mirela Ivičević, who is based in Vienna.

Her work will be embedded in a concert program that connects Croatian and Austrian musical traditions and highlights the continuity between historical heritage and contemporary music. In addition to the world premiere, the program features works by Croatian composers such as Dora Pejačević, as well as works by Franz Schubert and Richard Strauss, whose Four Last Songs will be heard in an arrangement. Within this dramaturgical constellation, Mirela Ivičević’s composition becomes an integral part of the musical narrative and allows audiences to experience new music in dialogue with familiar points of reference.

The Wiener Concert-Verein Orchestra will perform the world premiere under the direction of Croatian conductor Tonči Bilić. The premiere will be played in Vienna in December 2026 followed by a Croatia tour in Varaždin, Zagreb, Split and Karlovac beginning of 2027.

Further information:
hgz.hr

Dates

Dezember 22, 2026
Musikverein Brahmssaal, Wien
(World premiere)

January 8, 2027
Croatian National Theatre, Varaždin

January 9, 2027
Croatian Music Institute, Zagreb

January 10, 2027
Ivo Tijardović Concert Hall, Split

January 11, 2027
Zorin dom Theatre, Karlovac