Ensemble Illyrica

The Croatian chamber group Ensemble Illyrica focuses on classical repertoire as well as contemporary compositions that cross musical genres. This is also linked to their frequent collaborations with other artists and performers. The four young musicians of this ensemble enjoy performing in small villages and bringing music to unconventional spaces, often open air. Flutist Nika Bauman, violist Hiwote Tadesse, cellist Iva Casian-Lakos and guitarist Marko Ferlan have performed together over the years in many concert halls (Musikverein Wien), at several music festivals (Zagreb Biennale, Summer Magic in the Diocletian) and in many European countries (Ireland, Slovenia). Every year, they seek out another contemporary world composer to collaborate with, such as Lana Janjanina, Mako Murtić, James Budinich or David Crowell this year.

Josipa Bainac, sopran

Croatian soprano Josipa Bainac began her career as a respected artist by winning several Croatian national singing competitions. She won the Mirjana Bohanec Prize at the Music Academy in Zagreb, Isolde Langowski Prize for Art Song (2015), the Marienkirchen Oratorio Prize, ADA SARI Culture Prize (2017) and also several awards at the 11th Hilda Zadek International Singing Competition focusing on contemporary music. After graduating from the Academy in Zagreb, she continued her studies at the Vienna University of Music and Performing Arts and gained further experience with Thomas Hampson, Artur Korn, Stephen Delaney and Helena Łazarska.
Her interest in contemporary music led her to a year-long collaboration with composers Johanna Doderer and Akos Banlaky, which has earned her a reputation as a fine performer and specialist in challenging world premieres.
She has given concerts across Europe, Asia and North America. Additionally, she deals with singing as a scholar – she is a university assistant for voice research at the Mozarteum University Salzburg.Read more