Welcome to the tenth issue of Croats in London. CIL appears in the first week of every month.

This month: CSYPN Charity Concert for Adopt a Minefield at Wigmore Hall.

Noticeboard: British-Croatian Chamber of Commerce Members Meeting

CSYPN Charity Concert for Adopt a Minefield at Wigmore Hall

Sunday 29 May saw an Opera Concert arranged by the Croatian Students and Young Professionals Network (CSYPN) at the prestigious Wigmore Hall in London. Proceeds went to the Adopt a Minefield charity to help de-mining efforts in Croatia.

The concert was given by Sandra Martinovic (mezzo-soprano) and Jonathan Lemalu (bass-baritone) and Hein Boterberg (piano).

The event was endorsed by Heather Mill McCartney who said “Since the early 90’s
I have had a deep affection for Croatia and Croats. In the early 1990’s I worked during
the war in Croatia and Bosnia and saw first hand the terrible pain landmines cause.
I am therefore delighted to support the event on Sunday 29th May at Wigmore Hall.”

The concert was dedicated to all Croatian heroes.

It featured pieces by composers such as Bizet, Granados, Mozart and Tchaikovsky.
However, two famous Croatian composers were also represented - Jakov Gotovac
and Ivana Lang. Two songs were performed by Jonathan from Lang’s Op.26, Intima -
‘All in Vain’ and ‘A Pine Tree’ with lyrics by the renowned Croatian poet Vladimir Nazor.

Five Istrian songs by Ivana Lang (The Cat’s Wedding, Sorrow and Misery are Getting
Wed, The Midday Tolls, the Bell-Ringer is not at Home and the Rooster Crows) were
performed by Sandra from Pet intarsia pjesama, Op. 32 (1948)

The evening was very successful and well attended. CIL spoke to many people there,
and it was clear the concert had gone down very well indeed. Both Jonathan and Sandra had delighted the audience.

The Croatian embassy arranged a well received reception afterwards, at which Marko Krznaric, President of CSYPN, made a speech thanking the performers.

Ballet Troupe Croatia performs Tchaikovsky’s ‘Hamlet’ in London.

It has been a good time for those interested in Croatian culture. Less than a week after the Opera concert, the renowned Ballet Troupe Croatia gave a performance of Tchaikovsky’s ‘Hamlet’ at the Lilian Baylis Theatre in London on June 3.

Svebor Secak, the principal dancer of the Croatian National Theatre, played the role of Hamlet. He was also the choreographer and director.

The ballet played to a crowded house, and enchanted the audience with their superb performance.

Ballet Troupe Croatia is a professional touring company that features principals and soloists from the Croatian National Theatre.

They are no strangers to London, having performed at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden in 2001 and 2002. They performed at the Millennium Dome in 2000. They have performed all over the world, as well as in Croatia. Indeed, they have given more than 250 performances in Croatia and around Europe.

Hopefully it will not be too long before they return to London.

Sports News

CIL congratulations go to the brothers Niksa and Sinisa Skelin for winning their rowing event at the Bearing Point Rowing World Cup 2005 at Eton in late May.

Noticeboard

Only events run by known and reputable bodies will be listed here.

8 June British-Croatian Chamber of Commerce Members Meeting, London. Details from hrabar@mhmercury.co.uk

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