Role

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Composer Conductor Performer

Period

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Medieval

Genre

:

Vocal

 

Katarina Livljanic is a renowned Croatian-French musician, conductor, and musicologist who has made significant contributions to the field of early music. Born in 1964 in Zagreb, Croatia, Livljanic grew up in a family of musicians and was exposed to music from a young age. She began her musical education at the Zagreb Academy of Music, where she studied piano and musicology. Later, she pursued her studies in musicology at the Sorbonne in Paris, where she earned her doctorate in 1994. Livljanic's interest in early music began during her studies in Paris, where she was introduced to the music of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. She was particularly drawn to the music of the Balkans and the Mediterranean, which she felt had been neglected in the Western classical music tradition. Livljanic's research into this music led her to explore the connections between different musical traditions and to develop a unique approach to performing early music. In 1990, Livljanic founded the ensemble Dialogos, which specializes in the performance of medieval and Renaissance music from the Mediterranean region. The ensemble has become known for its innovative and dynamic performances, which combine Livljanic's scholarly research with her passion for music. Dialogos has performed at major festivals and concert halls throughout Europe, including the Festival d'Avignon, the Salzburg Festival, and the Berlin Philharmonic. One of Livljanic's most notable performances was her interpretation of the medieval music drama Ordo Virtutum by Hildegard von Bingen. In this production, Livljanic not only conducted the music but also played the role of the devil. The performance was widely acclaimed and helped to establish Livljanic as a leading figure in the early music world. Livljanic has also been recognized for her contributions to the field of musicology. In 2007, she was awarded the prestigious European Research Council Starting Grant for her research project "Music and Late Medieval European Court Cultures." This project explored the role of music in the courts of Europe during the late Middle Ages and aimed to shed light on the cultural and social significance of music during this period. In addition to her work with Dialogos, Livljanic has collaborated with a number of other ensembles and musicians. She has worked with the Huelgas Ensemble, the Ensemble Organum, and the Capella Cracoviensis, among others. She has also recorded numerous albums, including the critically acclaimed "Missa Sine Nomine" and "Dalmatica: Chants of the Adriatic." Livljanic's contributions to the field of early music have been recognized with numerous awards and honors. In 2013, she was awarded the French National Order of Merit for her contributions to the arts and culture. She has also been awarded the Croatian Order of Danica Hrvatska and the City of Zagreb Award for her contributions to music. Today, Livljanic continues to perform, record, and research early music. She is a professor of medieval music at the Sorbonne and is a sought-after lecturer and speaker on the subject of early music. Her work has helped to expand the boundaries of the classical music tradition and to bring the music of the past to new audiences.

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