Cavtat's Dalmatian folk ensemble 'Ragusavecchia'  celebrated its 15th birthday on the terrace of Villa Banac (short YouTube video) in style. Joined by their with friends and collegues they sang the night away to the admiration from all in the fully filled sitting area.

This year's edition of the Epidaurus Festival finished its beautiful run with theatrical performance of one of the world's best know literature works, Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea. The story was first published in book form on September 1, 1952 (the first edition print run was 50,000 copies).

Here told by Ivan Horvat, the story unfolds from the perspective of Manolin, underlying throughout the importance of our ilfe long learning process with all its challenges.

A truly wonderful performance delivered by Ivan Horvat, directed by Ana Merlin, quickly won over the audience. The backdrop scene of the port of Cavtat with its little wooden boats and a few guest sails only heightened the effects of Horvat's excellent performance.

Thumbs up for Epidaurus Festival team headed by  the pianist and EF Art Director Ivana Marija Vidović!

/ Photos by: Miho Skvrce, Hrvoje Đurković and Ivana M. Vidović /

The 7th edition of the Epidaurus Festival opened with Flamenco dancers.

Needless to say, the Villa Banac terrace was filled with spectators, locals and tourists alike.

We expect the festival to continue this year's run with as much enthusiasm and fun performances  as it did in its previous editions, and will follow up on their up-coming events.

ZIJAH A. SOKOLOVIĆ & HIS CABARET-LIKE STYLE

The night before, on Saturday, the superb cabaret-like performance by Zijah A. Sokolović in Močići was a great ouvertire to the Sunday's Don't go 'round bare naked.

Music & Word Festival made yet another evening artfully delicious, as the exhibit 'The Modernists' showcased some great artwork.  That in and by itself surely would have sufficed, but the organizors did not stop there: they offered their visitors the screening of the critically acclaimed films Bunarman, Plašitelj kormorana and Recikliranje -- all three award-winners at the Croatian Film Days. 

Sure Nicholson said it in 'Chinatown' and Damon drop the same line in 'Good Will Hunting', but three is a charm, no? So, how do you like them apples!

The second week of this year's edition of the Music & Word Festival ended with a bang. Classic rock sounds meshed with "Atlantida's" hits from their new album Premalo za san (Too Little for a Dream) to bring rock sound to the space usually reserved for the traditional folk song and dance, the space used to only the sound of traditional Konavle string instruments such as ljerica and tamburica.

KUD Čilipi's terrace was wall-to-wall filled with audience of all ages that, judging by the ambiance and their smiles, loved both the old and the new "Atlantida's" hits. Cudos to the band!  

Next Event: Art Exhibit and (Awarded) Film Screenings

The sounds of Haydn's opera The Apothecary echoed throughout Pridvordje's monastery last night enchanting the audience (very few seats were left unfilled).  Originally titled Lo speziale, the three-act buffa was libretted by Carlo Goldoni and first performed to popular and critical acclaim at Eszterháza in the autumn of 1768.

The warm comedy develops around a love triangle between the poor apprentice Mengone, the rich and assured dandy Volpino, and the local apothecary's ward, Grilletta. 

The Apothecary was delivered as a single-act opera last night.

Roles:

• Sempronio, an old apothecary, interpreted by Henrik Šimunković
• Grilletta, Sempronio's ward, interpreted by  Mia Domaćina
• Mengone, Sempronio's apprentice, interpreted by Nikša Radovanović
• Volpino, a young rich dandy, interpreted by Mario Bokun
• Piano score by Darjana Blaće Šojat
  

Dubrovnik Wind Quintet: a review
Wednesday evening's concert by the Dubrovnik Wind Quintet left the audience mesmerized and asking for more. Their interperetations of Bach, Kappa, Farkas, Kalinski and Riethmuller were a delight to one's ear, and both a well deserved and delivered refreshment after a hot sunny Cavtat day. The beautiful artworks displayed in Cavtat's Pinacoteque, where the concert was held, was in accord fully.

Music & Word Festival continues on Wednesday June 19 with the Dubrovnik Wind Quintet (each musician is also a member of the Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra).

Their programme includes compositions by such greats as J. C. Bach, F. Lhotka Kalinski, W. Kappa, H. Riethmuller and F. Farkas.

The concert will be held in the Pinacoteque (adjecent to St. Nicholas Church in Cavtat) starting at 9pm.

All are welcome to attend free of charge.