On Wednesday, the famous Italian conductor maestro Riccardo Muti will hold a gala concert in the National Theater in Sarajevo on the occasion of celebrating 100 years of the Sarajevo Philharmonic. Conductor Muti said today in Sarajevo that, regardless of his numerous obligations, he immediately accepted the invitation to perform for the 100th anniversary of the Philharmonic and that he will always be happy to do so.
“It’s not important to make a gesture of friendship, it’s important to know how to repeat it. I’m happy to be back, and in the orchestra today I found ten musicians who played with me in 1997. At a time when the world is in crisis, we must know that culture is an important instrument that will raise new generations”, Muti said at the press conference.
He characterized the return to Sarajevo as an expression of pure love, affection and friendship towards Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“As long as I’m alive, you can count on me, I will always come back here to conduct a concert,” said Muti.
Maestro Muti stayed in Sarajevo in 1997 with the Milan Scale and gave a concert, then again in 2014, and this is his third visit.
The talent of maestro Muti and the importance of his arrival in Sarajevo was emphasized by the head of the Delegation of the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Johann Sattler, emphasizing the power of art and culture and music, above all, as something that can keep us alive, despite the circumstances.
“Unfortunately, cultural institutions are always in a kind of need, they don’t have enough budget funds, which is especially pronounced in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Sarajevo Philharmonic is one of those significant cultural institutions, we made a small contribution through the purchase of new instruments and a collapsible stage,” said Sattler.
Italian Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina Marco Di Ruzza sees the presence of Maestro Muti in Sarajevo as an exceptional gift for the entire population of Bosnia and Herzegovina, but also for the international community operating in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The director of the Sarajevo Philharmonic, Vedran Tuce, is grateful for the arrival of maestro Muti, for the most beautiful birthday gift to the Sarajevo Philharmonic. He emphasized the cooperation and assistance of the European Union to the work of the Sarajevo Philharmonic, generally through donations, Fena reports.