8th “Horizons on the Tisa” – Josif Marinković Days 2000: Solo Singing Competition and Winners

May 31 – June 3, 2000
Open Solo Singing Competition

What could not take place in 1999 due to the NATO bombing of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia — the Open Solo Singing Competition — was successfully held one year later, at the 8th “Horizons on the Tisa,” from May 31 to June 3, 2000.

The three-day program began with the traditional laying of a wreath on the memorial plaque marking the birthplace of Josif Marinković. The opening ceremony, held in the theater hall of the Workers’ Home “Jovan Veselinov Žarko,” featured a commemorative address delivered by composer Eugen Gvozdanović, Vice Dean of the Academy of Arts in Novi Sad.

Following the opening remarks, the Faculty of Music in Belgrade presented a Gift Concert. The carefully curated one-hour program featured the celebrated prima donna Radmila Bakočević, joined by her former students: Aleksandra Angelov, Ana Rupčić, Vuk Matić, Nataša Jović, and Violeta Radaković.

Solo Singing Competition

On the second day of the festival, the first round of the competition was held. Due to the large number of applicants, it was divided into morning and afternoon sessions. Out of 24 applicants, 17 competitors performed — twelve female and five male voices.

The competition rules required the performance of:

• a solo song by Josif Marinković,
• a work by an early music master, and
• a solo song from the Romantic era.

Eight singers advanced to the second round — the final stage of the competition:

1. Jelena Končar (Kula, 1978), mezzo-soprano – FMU Belgrade, class of Radmila Bakočević
2. Ivana Dimitrijević (Belgrade, 1975), mezzo-soprano – FMU Belgrade, class of Biserka Cvejić
3. Ljubica Atanasijadis (Vršac, 1979), mezzo-soprano – FMU Belgrade, class of Radmila Bakočević
4. Sofija Pižurica (Belgrade, 1976), soprano – FMU Belgrade, class of Biserka Cvejić
5. Verica Grmuša (Belgrade, 1975), soprano – FMU Belgrade, class of Zvonimir Krnetić
6. Tanja Andrijić (Belgrade, 1978), soprano – FMU Belgrade, class of Aleksandra Ivanović
7. Vasa Stajkić (Novi Sad, 1978), baritone – Academy of Arts Novi Sad, class of Milica Stojadinović
8. Predrag Milanović (Kraljevo, 1979), baritone – FMU Belgrade, class of Radmila Smiljanić

After the first round, the jury awarded the prize for the best performance of a song by Josif Marinković to Ivana Dimitrijević, a 25-year-old mezzo-soprano from the class of Biserka Cvejić, for her outstanding interpretation of Pod prozorom (Under the Window).

Final Round – Recorded by Television

The final day of the competition featured the eight finalists performing before TV cameras, with the entire event recorded by the Novi Sad crew of Radio Television of Serbia.

For the final program, competitors were required to sing:

• a solo song composed specifically for “Horizons” as part of the composers’ competition,
• a solo song from the 20th century, and
• an opera aria of their choice.

The jury — Biserka Cvejić (president), Radmila Bakočević, Aleksandra Ivanović, Gordana Jevtović–Minov, Miroslav Štatkić, and Dimitrije O. Golemović — evaluated the artistic quality of each performance and decided that all finalists should receive awards.

Outstanding Performances

• Vasa Stajkić, a 28-year-old baritone from Novi Sad, won the First Prize in the male category and the Audience Award, impressing both jury and public with the power and beauty of his voice.
• Predrag Milanović captivated listeners with his refined interpretations, clear diction, musicality, and excellent tonal control, earning the Second Prize and the Special Award of the Nikola and Marica Cvejić Fund for his performance of works by Dimitrije O. Golemović.
• In the women’s category, the Third Prize was shared by Tanja Andrijić and Sofija Pižurica.
• The First Prize in the same category went to Jelena Končar, who also received the Biserka Cvejić Award for best mezzo-soprano.

Among the notable participants were soprano Verica Grmuša, tenor Branislav Cvijić, and Ljubica Atanasijadis, who received the Award of the Association of Music and Ballet Pedagogues of Serbia.

Piano accompaniment was provided by Ljubica Grujić, Mirjana Kršljanin, Maja Grujić, Nataša Mitrović, and Jasmina Vukašinović.

Awards

Female Voices

• 1st Prize: Jelena Končar
• 2nd Prize: Ivana Dimitrijević
• 3rd Prize: Sofija Pižurica

Male Voices

• 1st Prize: Vasa Stajkić
• 2nd Prize: Predrag Milanović

Special Awards

• “Josif Marinković” Award: Ivana Dimitrijević
• Nikola and Marica Cvejić Fund Award: Predrag Milanović
• Biserka Cvejić Award for Best Mezzo-Soprano: Jelena Končar
• Gift from Radmila Bakočević (Monograph and Triple CD): Verica Grmuša
• Award of the Association of Music and Ballet Pedagogues of Serbia: Ljubica Atanasijadis
• Audience Jury Award (Vojislav Blažin, Đorđijana Sabljić, Tatjana Perić): Vasa Stajkić

Chamber Orchestra Concert

During the jury deliberations, the Chamber Orchestra of Zrenjanin, conducted by Gabrijel Vujadinov, performed Concerto Grosso Op. 6 No. 12 by Georg Friedrich Händel and Holberg Suite by Edvard Grieg.

Instead of an Epilogue

The impressions of the festival were recorded by Gordana Jevtović–Minov, member of the jury and leading soloist of the Belgrade Opera, in Music Marketing magazine (issues 34–35/2000). She emphasized:

• the well-structured program,
• the warm hospitality of Novi Bečej,
• the unforgettable views from the terrace of the Workers’ Home “Jovan Veselinov Žarko” overlooking the Tisa River,
• and the exceptionally friendly atmosphere among competitors and guests.

All competitors — even those who did not advance to the final round — remained in Novi Bečej until the end of the festival at the host’s expense, fostering companionship, encouragement, and new friendships.

The central figure of the event’s organization was Zaga Jegdić, the director of the Cultural Center — a woman whose dedication, openness, and love for the arts have made “Horizons on the Tisa” a defining cultural event of the region. Thanks to her commitment, the festival has helped launch many young opera singers into the national and international music scene.

“Horizons on the Tisa” continues to stand as one of the key cultural pillars of this area — a living musical tradition with lasting significance.