In August, Križanke was the setting for a musical treat that transcended time, borders and genres. The Slovenian Youth Orchestra under the baton of conductor Živa Ploj Peršuh joined forces with the spectacular Ute Lemper. The evening combined classical music, chansons and contemporary music, enchanting and deeply moving the audience.
The Slovenian Youth Orchestra is known for helping young musicians get real-world experience. On this night, the young musicians showed that they could play challenging pieces with skill. The concert included a variety of musical styles. With French chansons from famous singers like Jacques Brel and Edith Piaf, to the lively rhythms of Argentine tango by Astor Piazzolla. This made the concert a rich experience.
The concert also featured songs by Kander and Ebb, known for their musicals, as well as timeless hits by Bob Dylan and Van Morrison. A standout moment was the orchestra's performance of “Three Dance Episodes” from Leonard Bernstein's “On the Town”, in which the orchestra displayed the wide range of its abilities.
The extraordinary Ute Lemper
Ute Lemper was the star of the show. Her powerful voice and stage presence added a special touch to the stories told throughout the songs. Her collaboration with the orchestra was like a poetic dialogue, the chemistry between her and the musicians was there from the first note to the last. The concert programme featured pianist Vana Gierig and double bass player Giuseppe Bassi.
