Enthusiasm and applause for the concert in memory of maestro Radovan Papović

A large number of music lovers in Herceg Novi filled the auditorium of the Park Hall last night, where, as part of the second Adriatic Piano Fest, a concert entitled "An Evening of Maestro Radovan Papović, Music from the Montenegrin Court" was held, dedicated to the Herceg Novi conductor who suddenly passed away four years ago.

Under the leadership of the conductor and artistic director Willia Ferdinandia The Herceg Novi Chamber Orchestra "Gaudeamus" was premiered, consisting of Montenegrin musicians, most of whom have played and collaborated with the maestro. Radovan Papović, most responsible for discovering and presenting music from the Montenegrin court, including the opera "The Balkan Empress".

After the opening words Nadja Karadzic, who, by presenting the ensemble, reminded the audience of the importance and mark that Radovan Papović left in Montenegrin musical history, the repertoire opened with the song "My Town" by the recently deceased musician from Herceg Novi Dragan Karlo Đorđević, which was arranged by maestro Papović, with equal love for Herceg Novi. It was sung by the young Luka Djokic, after which the program continued with the string ensemble Gaudeamus with the song "Guslar" Milan Asic, which, according to Vili Ferdinandi, was Papović's favorite and most frequently performed composition.

A genre-varied and diverse program, with numbers that had both sentimental and artistic value and beauty in this tribute, presented soloists, sopranos Jovana Mustur Ražnatović, Nataša Jovović, Tijana Blečić, violinist Luka Perazić and the prima donna of the Belgrade Opera Jadranka Jovanović. Maestro Vili Ferdinandi spoke emotionally and beautifully about his friendship and collaboration with Papović since their high school and academic days, announcing the pieces that he loved, conducted, and orchestrated.

From the opening track, through the aria Puccini's Laureates, Offenbach's Barcarolles, "My games" Mirko Petrović, “Oj Moračo”, “In the distant Drenopolje” from “The Balkan Empress” Dionysius de Sarna, Polka “Milena” Spiro Ognjenovic, "El Vito", "Chau Paris" and others, the Gaudeamus orchestra, with excellent soloists, provided the Herceg Novi audience, to enthusiastic and thunderous applause, with truly high-quality accompanying content for the Festival.

The Adriatic Fest dedicated to piano will end with a gala concert on Monday, June 15, featuring the winners of this young international competition, and the city orchestra Gaudeamus, led by Ferdinandi, continues the path that maestro Papović began in his native Herceg Novi.