"U boj" from the opera "Nikola Šubić Zrinski" by Ivan Zajc performed in Kilkenny as part of the International Music Gathering program

Lilian Giber Opačak, director and manager of the River Nore Academy of Music in Kilkenny, Ireland, with the support of the Central State Office for Croats Abroad, is implementing the project "International Music Gathering - Nurturing Croatian Music in Ireland and Beyond" in Kilkenny from 5 to 8 July 2025. The project includes guest appearances by Croatian musicians in Ireland for the purpose of promoting Croatian musical heritage in Ireland through seminars, lectures, presentations and concerts.

On the second day of the project, a Gala Concert was held at Rothe House in Kilkenny, where students and teachers of the River Nore Music Academy performed works of Irish traditional and modern music, and guests from the Republic of Croatia presented Croatian musical heritage. The guests from the Republic of Croatia in Ireland were Mr. Zdravko Drenjančević, professor of solfeggio at the Academy of Arts and Culture in Osijek, Mr. Predrag Stojić, a member of the opera ensemble of the Croatian National Theatre Osijek, Ms. Adrien Adam Stojić, a teacher of music culture in Osijek and Ms. Marina Pilj Tomić, a professor of Croatian language and literature in Osijek.

The concert program included Croatian folk songs such as "Dej mi Bože, joci sokolove" and "Milovo sam garave i plave", performed pieces by Croatian composers Dora Pejačević, Ivana Kordić, Bruno Bjelinski and Ivo Josipović, and the audience was particularly delighted by the performance of the song "U boj" from the opera "Nikola Šubić Zrinski" by Ivan Zajc, performed by tenor Predrag Stojić and Zdravko Drenjančević on the piano.

At the beginning of the concert, the Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia to Ireland, Davor Vidiš, welcomed the audience and guests from Croatia who had arrived in Ireland. He highlighted the importance of the project, which not only promotes Croatian music abroad and helps bring Croatian and Irish culture closer together, but also contributes to the preservation of Croatian culture among the Croatian community in Ireland. He welcomed the enthusiastic work and efforts of Lilian in leading the River Nore Music Academy, and the young talents who were bravely ready to demonstrate their acquired skills and knowledge through concert performances.

In addition to the concert, the project also includes a two-day piano master seminar to be held in Ireland by Zdravko Drenjančević, music workshops and lectures on Croatian music. On July 5, Ms. Marina Pilj Tomić gave a presentation on the most famous female Croatian composer, Dora Pejačević.

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