33rd Music Biennale: The latest trends in contemporary music

Music, movement and social change come together in the theme of this year’s Music Biennale, whose motto is “Broken Connections”. The Festival of Contemporary Music, the 33rd edition of the Zagreb Music Biennale, will be held from 5 to 12 April. The programme will present the latest and most important musical trends of today, exploring themes of connection, innovation and various genres, from contemporary and experimental forms to interdisciplinary collaborations with the visual arts.

The Music Biennale is organised by the Croatian Composers’ Association, and this year’s subtitle “Broken Connections” is inspired by the famous Zagreb Museum of Broken Connections, which in the context of global processes of isolation and protectionism is associated with the importance of togetherness.

The festival will take place at more than twenty locations in Zagreb – from major cultural institutions to independent venues – and 230 performers from over 30 countries on six continents will perform in more than 20 programs, including late-night performances with an underground and club feel.

As many as 28 premieres of new compositions have been announced, including 12 commissions from Croatian composers and eight from international authors. During the eight days of the festival, two to our programs will be held daily. In addition to performances by symphony orchestras, chamber ensembles, contemporary ballet, opera, electronic and alternative music, and sound and audiovisual experiments, this year’s biennale will also include additional programs such as performances, exhibitions, master classes, film screenings, and multimedia installations.