21st International Festival “Ars vivendi clavicembalum” – “7 Suns and 7 Moons”

The program 7 Suns and 7 Moons is a captivating musical-dance-poetry parable that delves into the life of the Baroque composer Domenico Scarlatti. This innovative work seamlessly blends flamenco art, drama, and harpsichord music to explore the unique musical legacy of Scarlatti, whose compositions are infused with elements of Spanish folklore, melody, and rhythm, making him a singular figure in the history of music.
The libretto, penned by Sofija Perović, centers on the life and artistic journey of Scarlatti, drawing attention to the deep connections between his music and the cultural influences of Spain.
The program features a distinguished ensemble: harpsichordist Sofija Perović, flamenco dancer Ojdana Radović, actor Ivan Nikolić, and guitarist Emelijan Galushko. Together, they create a rich, interdisciplinary performance that bridges the worlds of Baroque music and Spanish dance, offering a fresh perspective on Scarlatti’s enduring influence.

Program:
Domenico Scarlatti (1685–1757)
Sonata in A major, K. 208 (Andante e cantabile)

Sonata in D minor, K. 213 (Andante)

Sonata in D major, K. 33 (Allegro)

Sonata in E major, K. 206 (Andante)

Sonata in D minor, K. 9 (Allegro)

Sonata in D minor, K. 141 (Allegro)

Sonata in A major, K. 209 (Allegro)

Sonata in D major, K. 492 (Presto)

Sonata in D major, K. 491 (Cantabile)

Fandango in D minor

Biographies:
Sofija Perović is a distinguished artist with an exceptional academic and professional background, holding three doctoral degrees: a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) from the University of Arts in Belgrade, a PhD in Literature from the University of Belgrade, and a PhD in Theatre from the University Paris 8. Her DMA thesis focused on “The Influence of Andalusian Music on the Interpretation of Compositions for Solo Harpsichord by Domenico Scarlatti and Antonio Soler,” while her doctoral research in Literature and Theatre examined the evolution of the anti-hero in existentialist and absurdist theatre, and the displacements of space and time in contemporary opera productions.
As a harpsichordist, Dr. Perović has performed extensively as a soloist and in chamber music ensembles in Serbia, Austria, and Spain. She has studied under the tutelage of world-renowned artists such as Maggie Cole, Blandine Rannou, Frank Cooper, and Shalev Ad-El, and has participated in master classes with leading harpsichordists. From 2008 to 2011, she was awarded a full scholarship to attend the Austria Baroque Academy, where she studied with prominent figures including Jory Vinikour, Jeremy Joseph, Nick Parle, and Aline Zylberajch-Gester. Additionally, she has participated in the International Manuel De Falla Music Festival in Granada, Spain (2008, 2011).
Sofija Perović has performed various world premieres of works by Serbian composers, some of which were written specifically for her and her chamber music partners, such as Nataša Penezić (piano) and Katarina Đorđević (violin). She is also known for her collaborative work with flamenco dancer Ojdana Radović on the project La pasión del Barroco, which brings together flamenco dance and Baroque music by Domenico Scarlatti and Antonio Soler.
She is the author of several multimedia projects that creatively combine Baroque music with contemporary dance, such as Long Journey into the Sarabande (Bitef Theatre, 2017) and 7 Suns and 7 Moons (Dorćol Platz, 2018), both in collaboration with the Belgrade Dance Institute.
In addition to her work as a performer and researcher, Sofija Perović is an accomplished opera stage director. Drawing upon her extensive knowledge in music, theatre, and literature, she made her directorial debut with a highly acclaimed production of Monteverdi’s L’Incoronazione di Poppea at Opera and Theatre Madlenianum in Belgrade in 2014. This production, the first-ever staging of a Monteverdi opera in Serbia, was praised for its modern and innovative approach to opera direction and was recognized as the best opera production of the 2013/2014 season by Belgrade Edt Culture. Following this success, she directed Poulenc’s La Voix humaine at Bitef Theatre in Belgrade, which was later invited to the main program of the Kotor Art Festival in Montenegro. Sofija Perović’s unique approach to stage direction continued to earn positive reviews in both Serbian and Montenegrin press. In 2016, she directed and produced the Serbian and Balkan premiere of Udo Zimmermann’s contemporary opera Die Weisse Rose.
Since 2013, Sofija Perović has been a member of the Association of Musical Artists of Serbia.

Ojdana Radović (born in Belgrade, 1980) is an accomplished entrepreneur, dancer, instructor, and choreographer specializing in flamenco dance. She is a graduate professor of physical education and a certified Pilates instructor, having completed her training according to the American Balanced Body method.
Her journey in dance began in early childhood, and she was first introduced to Spanish dance in 2002. It was under the tutelage of Antonio del Castillo from Madrid that she learned her first flamenco steps. In 2003, Antonio del Castillo organized a flamenco troupe in Belgrade for a performance entitled Sin fronteras, held at the Sava Center, in which Ojdana participated. Following this formative experience, she joined Marija Milić’s Vengo Flamenco School. Ojdana took over the school in 2006, and since then, she has been a prominent figure in the promotion and expansion of flamenco art in Belgrade, Serbia, and the wider region.
Ojdana continues to refine her flamenco technique through various workshops, ongoing research, and independent study. She has conducted flamenco workshops at the Institute for Artistic Dance at the Faculty of Music in Belgrade (FMU), the Flamenco School in Split, dance schools in Niš and Novi Sad, as well as with high school students in Subotica.
She also organized the first public flamenco class in Belgrade’s Trg Republike, in celebration of World Flamenco Day. As the founder of the flamenco association El olor del alma in Belgrade, Ojdana has made significant contributions to the flamenco community. Through collaborations with musicians of diverse genres, she regularly performs, emphasizing the importance of live performance in preserving the essence of flamenco culture.
Additionally, she runs Studio Ojdana, which offers a blend of flamenco dance, movement exercises, and personal development practices.

Ivan Nikolić graduated acting from the Academy of Fine Arts in Belgrade. Throughout his career, he has graced the stages of prominent institutions such as the National Theater in Belgrade, the Student Cultural Center, the Duško Radović and Slavija theaters, the Kult Theater, as well as various other venues across Serbia. In addition to his stage work, Nikolić is a valued contributor to the drama programming of Radio Belgrade, the educational newsroom of RTS, and the drama department of RTS. Over the past decade, he has focused primarily on contemporary theater, working with the Center for Theater Research at DAH Theater. He resides and works in Belgrade as a freelance artist.

Emelian Galushko, a highly accomplished flamenco guitarist, is the laureate of the 2020 and 2022 International Guitar Virtuoso Competition in Russia. He has participated in numerous flamenco festivals across Russia, collaborating with a wide range of esteemed guitarists, singers, and flamenco dancers, further establishing his reputation within the international flamenco community.