After last year's exceptionally successful tour, when the project Klasični Artač together with the Slovenian Youth Orchestra (SMO) visited more than a dozen Slovenian towns and presented an innovative blend of classical music and satire at 16 concerts, our popular musical journey is back. This time it will take place at the heart of Slovenian culture – on the stage of the Linhart Hall at Cankarjev dom.
Memories of last year's tour
Last season, as part of the project Klasični Artač we travelled across Slovenia, reaching more than 6,000 visitors with music and humour. In collaboration with the Slovenian Youth Orchestra, Tilen Artač took audiences through the fascinating and exciting world of classical music, enriched by his virtuoso impressions and comic commentary. The interweaving of classical works and specially tailored humour showed that even Beethoven can be fun and that Strauss can speak to every generation.
Cankarjev dom – the next step up
Last year's success has led to a logical next step: on 30 and 31 December 2025 and 25 January 2026 we will perform Klasični Artač on the stage of Cankarjev dom. Our concert, an “innovative fusion of classical music and humour”, will once again bring together cellist and impressionist Tilna Artača, who will appear with a conductor's baton, and The Slovenian Youth Orchestra under the artistic direction of Žive Ploj Peršuh. Together we will put simple but provocative questions to the audience – is opera really boring, who was first on Golica, why don't we cheer at classical concerts as we do at sports matches – and answer them with a wink.
Enthusiasm for the event is so great that all three performances at Cankarjev dom are already sold out. This is clear proof that audiences can hardly wait for our return.
Rehearsals and a special visit
Preparations for the spectacle are already in full swing. At one of the rehearsals we had a very special visit, when we were joined by young journalists Milenca Obrul and Ajda Jakob from Celje, who, as part of the international project Jugend schreibt – Mladi pišejo are preparing reports for the renowned Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.
The project enables young people, through journalism workshops, to meet important figures and present Slovenia to a wider European public; in Slovenia it is led by Dr Gerald and Dr Monica Hühner from the institute Discimus Lab, with financial support for the project from the City Municipality of Celje and the Zavod Celeia Celje. At the rehearsals in Ljubljana, the journalists talked to our young musicians, to artistic director Živo Ploj Peršuh and – as befits Artač – also to the “temporary conductor” Tilnom Artačem. They are expected to share their impressions in an article to be published in the FAZ.
Why is Klasični Artač special?
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It combines the classical and humour. The concert interweaves works by Johann Strauss, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven and Gioachino Rossini, with each part accompanied by Artač's inventive questions and impressions.
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Young musicians take centre stage. The performers are members of the of the Slovenian Youth Orchestra, who, mentored by Živa Ploj Peršuh, prove that youth can bring exceptional quality and energy.
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Humour with a message. Alongside classical works we also touch on Slovenian melodies (Avsenik's “Na Golici” usually rings out at the concerts), bridging the gap between the polka and the symphony.
We look forward to seeing you again
Last year's tour taught us that Slovenian audiences long for fresh approaches to classical music. At Cankarjev dom we will therefore be even more driven, even more relaxed and – judging by ticket sales – in front of a full house. And for all of you for whom the December and January dates will not be enough, we are already thinking about new projects and surprises.
Please note that our rehearsals are still under way, so follow us on social media for more highlights, interviews and behind-the-scenes footage.
Thank you to everyone who followed us on tour and helped us return even louder. Thanks also to the young journalists Milenca and Ajda for their insightful questions – we look forward to their article!
Photos: Gerald and Monica Hühner/Discimus Lab
