The Epidaurus Cavtat Festival returns with a rich and diverse program that will bring the romantic south of Croatia to life through music and art for the eighteenth consecutive year. Under the theme and motto 'Living Cavtat with Arts', this year's edition offers top-notch concerts, exhibitions, and artistic events, bringing together renowned local and international performers. From August 30th to September 21st, Cavtat will become a cultural hub where art intertwines with the historical sites and natural beauty of this paradise on Earth.

Epidaurus Festival Program

The festival will kick off with a Grand Opening Concert on August 30th at 8 PM on the terrace of Villa Banac. The Apulian Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra Filarmonica Pugliese) from Italy, featuring talented violinist Maria Serena Salvemini (Molly) and the festival's special guest, Argentine pianist Daniel Rivera, will perform an exciting music program under the baton of Maestro James Ross from the United Kingdom.

Maria Serena Salvemini (Molly)

Maria Serena Salvemini is a winner of numerous international competitions and has performed worldwide. She won the Euro Contest at Musikverein in Vienna and has received various accolades and awards. She was chosen for recitals at the prestigious Paganini Festival. In 2024, she will embark on a 14-concert tour across Europe, with one of those concerts being in Cavtat, a fact that Ivana Maria Vidović, the artistic director of the Festival, is extremely proud of.

Daniel Rivera, a renowned Argentine pianist, began his international career after winning prestigious competitions such as Ferruccio Busoni, Dino Ciani, and Reine Elisabeth. He is also known for his exceptional collaboration with world-famous pianist Martha Argerich, which began in 2009 after she personally invited him to the Progetto Martha Argerich in Lugano. They have performed together at numerous concerts worldwide, including legendary performances at Teatro El Círculo in Rosario and Teatro Petrarca in Arezzo. This concert at the 18th Epidaurus Festival in Cavtat marks Maestro Rivera's debut in Croatia.

The Power of Music

The following day, August 31st, a press conference and social gathering will be held in the Foyer lobby bar of the Albatros Hotel, presenting the rich Festival program starting at 7:30 PM. This will be followed by a concert by the Apulian Philharmonic Orchestra and their soloists at 9 PM. On the first of September, a masterclass led by pianist Daniel Rivera will take place in the Cavtat Cultural Centre. It will be open to the public, offering music lovers an opportunity to learn and enjoy artistic creation first-hand. On the same day, the exhibition "The Power of Music" by the Dubrovnik Association of Visual Artists (DuLU) will be officially opened.

The masterclass begins at 6 PM, and the exhibition opens at 9 PM. The following weekend is also packed with various high-quality cultural events. On Friday, September 6th, French pianist Pierre-Laurent Boucharlat will perform his piano recital titled "Piano Shades" at the Cavtat Cultural Center, bringing the magic of classical music to the audience through virtuoso performances. The evening begins at 8 PM.

Young talents honoured

On Saturday, September 7th, at 8 PM, the festival will honour young talents through the concert "Young Talents of the XVIII Epidaurus," featuring pianists Alessandro Capone and Remo Raimondo Mazzeo from Italy, offering us a glimpse into the promising future of classical music.

A special evening titled "Two Ragusas" will be dedicated to women, featuring a piano duo—Diana Nocchiero and Vera Lizzio. The event starts at 8 PM, followed by a guitar performance by Luciano Pompilio at 9 PM, with a special homage to Ante Skaramuca. This event, held on Sunday, September 8th, will conclude the festival's second weekend.

The distinctive voice and music of our own Ibrica Jusić, combined with the magic of Villa Banac, will form a perfect combination for the 60th anniversary of the artistic career of our virtuoso. The concert "In Any Case, I Love You" will be held on September 10th at 8 PM, dedicated to our great writer and academic, Luka Paljetak.

On Friday, September 13th, in the enchanting ambiance of the Sustjepan archaeological site below the Hotel Croatia, a concert titled "De Epidauro" will take place. The main guest of the evening will be Claudio Constantini, who will delight the audience with his virtuoso bandoneon playing. The concert starts at 7 PM.

The following day, September 14th, at the parish church of St. Nicholas in Cavtat, the duo De Siato - Partipilo (organ and violin) and a chamber violin orchestra will perform an emotional concert dedicated to the memory of Maria Montanaro and Nicola Delvecchia, starting at 7:30 PM. Later that evening, at 10 PM, the audience will enjoy a concert by a chamber orchestra in front of the Albatros Hotel.

The Story of Videk

Saturday, September 15th, is entirely dedicated to our Luka Paljetak. The puppet show "The Story of Videk" will be held in the garden of the Bukovac House at 6 PM, in collaboration with the Slovenian Cultural Society Lipa. In front of the Rector's Palace in Cavtat, starting at 8 PM, Luka Paljetak's picture book "Luka Sorkočević" will be presented on the occasion of the 290th anniversary of the birth of this famous composer. There will be many more emotional moments, so do come!

The Epidaurus Exclusive Event brings a surprise concert, whose content will remain secret until the day of the event, which will surely further intrigue the audience. Suffice it to say—come to Cavtat on September 18th!

On September 20th, a recital by the duo Kumpare - Vešligaj will be held at the Cavtat Cultural Centre, starting at 8 PM. They will perform a program for clarinet and piano, providing the audience with a special musical treat. The following day, September 21st, will mark the grand finale of this year's Epidaurus Cavtat Festival.

The festival's conclusion is reserved for the Epidaurus Theatre, where the concert "Gracias a la Vida," starting at 8 PM, will pay tribute to Spanish and South American songs and poetry. Performing will be Ksenija Prohaska, accompanied by Danira Ipavec (accordion and piano), with special guest Milka Podrug Kokotović, the legendary lady of Croatian theatre.