Hasanaginica

            Last night I had the chance to perform the first (and only, I think) Bosnian opera, called Hasanaganica.  It’s based on an old Bosnian tale, about love, war, death, all the typical opera stuff.  The composer mixes Bosnian folk music (mixed meters, a Phrygian scale with a raised third, etc) with Western classical music (traditional orchestration, a three-act form, Western harmonies, etc).  Although I’ve heard some of my colleagues complain that the opera is very difficult, and not very good, I found my part to be manageable, and really enjoyed the music.  What can I say, I’m a sucker for augmented seconds.  There were a lot of meter changes, switching between 5/8, 7/8, and 4/4, but I just continually counted a steady eighth note so I didn’t get lost.

            I got lots of compliments about my solos after the opera, and felt like a total rock star. J  I appreciate the support from my colleagues, since I easily get caught up in all of the things I wish had gone better.  I’ve been trained to be very self-critical and competitive, which is necessary to attain the level of musicianship needed to get a performance job in the US.  However, after a performance is over, it can be nice to celebrate my achievements and improvements before getting back to work.  After all, it’s only music, not a life-or-death situation.

            This morning the Americans had a meeting to get to know the music director of the Sarajevo Philharmonic.  She seems very nice, and eager to help us, both here in Bosnia and later in our careers. I look forward to working with her for our concert in early November, which she is conducting.

            Since we were already downtown, the American quartet decided to go to Bascarsija for lunch and shopping.  I found a satchel for Ross, and a few interesting guidebooks to Sarajevo written in English.  There are so many beautiful things in the shop windows, so I had to restrain myself from going overboard with the shopping.  I can’t wait to start buying Christmas/Chanukah presents!  At the end of the afternoon, Sara showed us a shop run by the principal bassoonist’s sister, who is a multi-talented professional pianist/fashion designer.  She very kindly had us stay for coffee.  It was my first time drinking REAL Bosnian coffee (I usually get Nescafe).  I liked it more than I thought I would.  Even though it’s very thick, it’s not too bitter.  Furthermore, you get to drink it with a sugar cube in your mouth, and who doesn’t like eating raw sugar?  Finally, the presentation is lovely: on a large tray with handmade metal serving pots and tiny cups.  I think I will have to buy a Bosnian coffee set of my own at some point before I move back to the US.