The Renaissance Skočibuha Summer Residence on Boninovo came to life as a Dubrovnik Summer Festival venue for the first time after thirty years, as a performance by the Zagreb Soloists took place last night filling the space between its old walls with high quality music and a large crowd. 

The Zagreb Soloists have always been the Festival's gladly seen guests, and were again well received by the audience, treating it to all eight of Luka Sorkočević's symphonies in their original forms, along with Scarlatti's Concerto Grosso No. 6 in D major and Mendelssohn's Symphony No. 10 in h minor. The final performance of the evening, Sorkočević's most famous Third Symphony in F major, received a long applause from the thrilled audience, after which the performers treated it to a bonus performance of Bach's Prelude No. 6.  The concert was held in the occasion of the 280th birth anniversary of the first Croatian symphony composer, Dubrovnik born Luka Sorkočević.  A complementary art exhibition titled Luka and Antun Sorkočević – Diplomats and Composers, presented in partnership with the Dubrovnik Museums, will open in the Rector's Palace on 29th July.

The Zagreb Soloists, one of the most prominent Croatian ensembles with a notable international reputation, have performed in some of the world's most famous music halls such as the Musikverein in Vienna, Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Royal Festival Hall in London, the Čajkovski Hall in Moskow, the Carnegie Hall in New York, at the Opera in Sydney, Teatro Real in Madrid, Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires and others. Apart from being a high quality ensemble, they are known for their distinctive virtuosity and their disciplined music making, exceptional enthusiasm and their love for chamber sounds.

Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, directed by Jagoš Marković and performed by the Festival Drama Ensemble, will also premiere in the Skočibuha Summer Residence on the 25th, 26th, 27th and 28th of July.