The Serbian National Theatre Symphonic Orchestra

Serbia

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The Serbian National Theatre Symphonic Orchestra was first established under the name Vojvodina National Theatre Orchestra in 1947 when it made it’s opening public appearance as a full-size opera orchestra on November 16th, performing the first instance of post-Second World War opera at the Theater, Traviata by Giuseppe Verdi. Since then, the orchestra has been comprised of musicians teaching at Isidor Bajić Music School and at the Academy of Arts in Novi Sad, as well as members of other professional ensembles, such as the Novi Sad Philharmonics, a number of Radio Novi Sad ensembles, the Novi Sad Chamber Orchestra, the Vojvodina Symphonics and others.

At first, the repertoire of the Serbian National Theater Symphony Orchestra included operetta performances and provided music for theatrical shows. Over time, the repertoire has widened to include standard Italian, French and Russian opera repertoire, while at the same time not neglecting contemporary operas by composers from the country and abroad. Over the last few decades, the orchestra has occasionally held concerts performing significant vocal-instrumental pieces (Requiem G. Verdi, Carmina Burana C. Orff), and has frequently performed concerts comprised of arias and choir sections from various operas. In November 2011, at the occasion marking the 150th anniversary since the foundation of the Serbian National Theater (1861-2011), the Serbian National Theater Symphony Orchestra had it’s first concert appearance performing symphonic pieces, and, by so doing, drawing the attention of professional audiences to the potential it possesses.

“While fully acknowledging the rank and the status of the soloists and conductors at any opera house, it is the orchestra that provides the main support in the performance of any operatic or ballet work, from the first to the last chord. Therefore, it also bears the main responsibility, as there is no substitute”, wrote Professor Anton Eberst. The biography of an orchestra is also undoubtedly represented by the individual artistic activity of all of it’s members. Members of the Serbian National Theater Symphony Orchestra have not only contributed to the reputation of the Serbian National Theatre, but also to the entirety of Novi Sad and Vojvodina culture and musical life.

All members of the orchestra have also been members of the Serbian Association of Opera and Ballet Symphonic Musicians, have performed as soloists in the country and abroad, and have made recordings for radio and TV stations.