Concert by the Women’s Vocal Ensemble ZIMA at the Montenegrin Academy of Sciences and Arts
On October 27, the Women’s Vocal Ensemble “Zima” gave a concert at the Montenegrin Academy of Sciences and Arts (CANU).
The seven-member ensemble from Bar, led by Varvara Loyko, is one of the few ensembles of its kind that performs regularly in Montenegro. Its repertoire encompasses works from different periods, styles, and traditions.
The ensemble pays particular attention to sacred music and choral works in different languages. The concert programme featured works by Labinski, Byrd, Tormis, Victoria, Chesnokov, Grieg, Bach, Rheinberger, Rachmaninoff, and Mendelssohn.
The ensemble demonstrated a very high level of ensemble musicianship, an aesthetically refined tonal palette, and a thorough understanding of the stylistic characteristics of different periods and composers.
The exceptionally cohesive and controlled vocal sound of the singers, particularly given the relatively small size of the ensemble, reflects the carefully selected repertoire and level of preparation that significantly exceed the existing standards of amateur choral performance in the country.
The encounter with this ensemble also revealed what is currently missing from our local musical community when it comes to choral singing. Those who did not attend the concert missed an opportunity to hear the level that can be achieved through persistent, consistent work and, above all, a genuine dedication to the art of singing together.
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