Beloved Balkan composer Bregović’s new work, Three Letters from Sarajevo, is inspired by the complexities of the people and history of Sarajevo, a city in which three religions coexist. He explores and celebrates the city, known as the “Jerusalem of the Balkans,” reflecting on how the three religions’ musical stylings influence the way the violin is played. Written for solo violin, this unique piece is a metaphor for the peace and understanding that diverse people and cultures seek in the world.

• Alongside Bregović and his Wedding and Funeral Orchestra, this performance will feature violin soloists Mirjana Neskovic of Serbia, Gershon Leizerson of Israel, and Zied Zouari of Tunisia. A DC-based string quartet and vocal sextet will join the soloists.
• “Very few musicians have managed to develop an art of such amplitude that coherently mixes together such a great variety of styles and techniques without losing its identity. A Bregović piece can be recognized on the very first hearing and seems to address the whole Earth with no distinction of race, sex, age or religion.” —Benjamin Minimum (Mondomix)
• Bregović scored films for famous Serbian director Emir Kusterica, including Time of the Gypsies, Underground, and Arizona Dream.