59. MOKRANJAC DAYS
Premiere of the Opera for children “The Wandering Frog”
Dimitrije O. Golemović
Musical opera theatre organization Moto, Belgrade
Uamo Stanislav Binički, Belgrade
Conductor: Catherine Christmas
Production: home of Culture Stevan Mokranjac, Negotin
The youngest 59. "Mokranjac days "had a unique opportunity to enjoy the premiere of the Opera for children" žabica lutalica "by Dimitije Golemović, in the first production of the Cultural Center"Stevan Mokranjac". Negotin's little ones recognized the message of the opera, that good conquers evil and from the beginning to the end greeted their heroes on stage. In this way, the Cultural Center "Stevan Mokranjac" continues the recently established, and extremely well accepted practice of directing the youngest citizens, by organizing opera programs for children, towards real musical values.
The little ones obviously enjoyed the fun and instructive story, the fairy-tale scenery, and above all the good, quality music. The Opera "žabica lutalica" is not only a contribution to Serbian children's music, but also a means for developing educational values and understanding of artistic expression, shaping young audiences. The director and set designer is Edit Zerebelji Tenji, while the libretto was written by the composer Prof. Dr. Dimitrije Golemović.
- The moment of play is very important in a man. People wonder if the man sang first or if he danced. I think it's one synergy and the child doesn't separate from each other. Play is something that a man must not forget even when he grows up, because while he is playing, there is hope in life for him. When he got serious, he lost his war - said Prof. Dr. Dimitrije Golemović, composer.
The Cultural Center "Stevan Mokranjac "in Negotin, the organizer of the festival" Mokranjac days "is also the producer of the Opera for children"Žabica Lutalica".
- Although the home of culture is turned to adults, they do not neglect children. We need to educate our children, invest our time and try not to waste time on the internet. The child must have some involvement. "Mokranjac's days" showed the breadth and feeling for something that I think should be good, since the genre of children's opera is very neglected. We are now performing "the children's room", "the little chimney sweep", and a few more operas. Vera Milankovic has written several operas. I think that's never enough. I have six other plays, so I'm thinking about what to do, because the big question is whether anyone needs what I'm creating. I feel a debt to myself, and an even greater debt to children, because they are everything in the world for me,” said Prof. Dr. Dimitrije Golemović.
The "stray frog" on the stage of the Cultural Center "Stevan Mokranjac" was performed by The Art Ensemble of the Ministry of Defense "Stanislav Binički" and the musical opera theater organization moto from Belgrade with soloists. The main roles were played and sung by: Isidora Bogdanović soprano as Žabica, Biljana Jovanović, soprano as Mama žaba, Bojana Tričković, soprano as Roda, Nina Mijalković, soprano as Leptirić, but also baritoni Tamaš Kiš and Matija Arnautović, Andriana Spasojević, soprano and Dusan Dakić, tenor.
Dimitrije O. Golemović, ethnomusicologist and composer (1954) he studied at the Academy of music in Belgrade, Department of ethnomusicology, composition and solo singing, and obtained his master's degree and doctorate in ethnomusicology. From 1979 to 2019. he was employed at the Faculty of music in Belgrade, as a teacher for the subject ethnomusicology. As a composer he produced the most vocal music. In addition to forty choral compositions for children's, women's and mixed choir and a series of solo songs, he wrote works in the field of spiritual music (Divine Liturgy of the pre-consecrated gifts, oratorios Hiram's Testament and in search of light), and secular (cantatas Drino, vodo... and Banat), as well as operas (a boy who was not afraid of anything and a stray frog). He composed oratorios and operas on his own libretto.
He is the recipient of several awards, both for his compositional achievements and for his contribution to culture.