Concert
by Tamara Obrovac and Transhistria Ensemble
on Monte Stage
The first-class music event provided for us by Tamara Obrovac and the boys from Transhistria Ensemble two nights ago fulfilled wishes and satisfied appetites of many lovers of good music gathered on Monte glade in Rovinj.
The successful Istrian singer, composer and flutist can be proud of her reputation as one of the best Croatian musicians.
The last international confirmation of the value of her work and nomination for the audience award in world music category on BBC’s third channel is merely one of successes achieved by this author whose quality by far surpasses the local music scene. Two nights ago, with her unique musical expression that few Croatian musicians have, Obrovac delighted the audience once again, followed by the excellent Transhistria Ensemble.
Performing a series of songs from her last album and the ones before it, and presenting songs with texts in the ciacavo dialect, but also those written in the Istrovenetian dialect based on Loredana Bogliun’s poetry (Touca'la luna, Biscoti ruduladi), Tamara perfectly incarnates the spiritual identity of the Istrian region in the the overall Mediterranean context. Kruno Levačić on drums, Uroš Rakovec on guitar, mandolin and oud, Simone Zanchini playing harmonica and Žiga Golob on contrabass make a fusion of first-class, versatile artists that merge with Tamara’s vocal and occasionally making instrumental escapades, perfectly embodying Tamara’s musical poetry.
Tamara has achieved recognizability typical only of the greatest artists by means of her exceptional energy, vocal abilities, a witty approach and confident behavior on the scene, but most of all by her distinctive aesthetic expression. Merging elements of Istrian folk, jazz and modern music, her expression is completely authentic and free of any literal quotes, so we should really thank Tamara for what she has done with her music so far.
With this performance, the artist showed why she is so appreciated and why she is one of the most significant people on our music scene and beyond it. Complete dedication to her own art and persistence resulted in a completely authentic musical image, whose power lies in the conviction and power of affecting the listener, and this is exactly what Tamara and Transhistria Ensemble do perfectly, putting her right on the top of our music culture.
The audience thanked the excellent musician with a big applause, for a unique and unrepeatable concert, which was also their only performance in Istria this summer.
Domagoj TERZIĆ, Glas Istre - Sunday, July 18th 2004
