GALLINA VOCAL GROUP
A series of concerts in churches with frescoes by Tone Kralj
Artistic director: Ana Erčulj
Manca Simonič, soprano
Urška Banovec, soprano
Ana Plemenitaš, alto
Višnja Fičor, alto
Gašper Banovec, organ, piano
dr. Igor Kranjc, presentation of paintings
The project of concerts performed by the vocal group Gallina in Churches, enriched with frescoes by the Slovenian expressionist painter Tone Kralj, marks the fortieth anniversary of his death.
Painter, sculptor, graphic artist, illustrator and architect Tone Kralj was born in 1900 into a peasant family in Zagorica in Dobrepolje, and continued his studies at the Diocesan Classical Gymnasium in Ljubljana. He was fascinated by fine arts by his brother France, and later attended school in Prague, Vienna, Paris, Rome and Venice. He worked in Primorska during the Italian occupation, and with his paintings he represented Sloveneness, as the Slovene word was banned and persecuted in this area. His paintings of the Primorska churches depicting the injustices that were happening to the Slovene nation in many places represent a critique and accusation of the then authorities. He captured the material for his paintings in peasant life, and with his art he gave people faith in the victory of the good and instilled hope for a better future. Tone Kralj is one of the most important Slovenian artists, and in 1972 he received the Prešeren Lifetime Achievement Award for his work.
With concerts in Primorska churches with paintings by Tone Kralj, the vocal group Gallina wants to emphasize the importance of his art for Primorska and revive his art, which still deeply addresses us today. Dr. Igor Kranjc, a connoisseur of Tone Kralj and his art, will also take part in the concerts with a lecture on the painting of the church in question.
Concerts will be performed in churches that contain his representative works: Katinara in Trieste, Šmartno in Brda, Lokev in the Karst, Slivje, Soča, Vrtojba, Sv. Višarje,… The vocal group Gallina will perform a sacral program accompanied by an organ at concerts and perform novelties written by young Slovenian composers written just for this occasion.
We want the concerts to become traditional and for as many listeners and spectators as possible to enjoy the various ambiences of the coastal churches and the connection between fine and musical arts.
