30 January 2025| Zagreb, Croatia [David Neal]
A 2000-strong crowd gathered at the Zagreb Vatroslav Lisinski Grand Hall on Sunday, 26 January, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Agape Ensemble with a memorable concert titled In Praise of Him.
Led by Darko Kovačević, alongside his sons Andrija, Matija, and Jakov, who form the Agape Family Quartet, the performance was a tribute to the enduring legacy of a musical journey and witness that began in 1963. Founded by Kovačević before his children were born, the Ensemble’s story is immersed in the Gospel story – which they feel compelled to share and tell through music and humanitarian activity.
As the sons quickly embraced their father’s love for music, together, they affectionately became known as “tata i 3 brata” (“dad & 3 brothers”), a fitting tribute to their unique family bond. Since 1985, and not forgetting mum Roberta Kovačević who is also a member of Agape Ensemble, they have held more than 600 concerts in Croatia and many parts of the world to large and small audiences.
Kovačević continues to regard his music ministry as frontline evangelism. Following the concert, he commented, “With all tickets sold, 70% of those attending were from Croatian society – civic leaders, church leaders, representatives from media and culture, professional musicians, and the wider community who love hearing us sing.” He continued, “In a nation where to be a Seventh-day Adventist is considered to belong to a small and strange denomination, we believe our concerts to be heaven-sent opportunities to be ambassadors for Christ.”
The Concert Programme
“The blend of traditional and contemporary musical genres is entirely intentional,” explains Andrija Kovačević, the Ensemble’s artistic director. “We also incorporated both sacred and secular pieces because we understand the importance of meeting people wherever they are on their spiritual journey.” He continues, “This concert, like all our performances, is about more than just entertainment—though some may see it that way.”
To illustrate his point, Kovačević highlights the concert’s diverse repertoire, which ranged from Nat King Cole’s timeless classic Smile, offering a message of hope, to Side by Side We Stand, a powerful and moving song of commitment with an open and overt invitation to connect with Christ. And if there is one principal test their singing of whatever genre must pass, Matija Kovačević describes it in one word – “harmony”!
For this anniversary concert, the Ensemble were joined by the Zagreb Stars Orchestra under the leadership of their conductor, Zdravko Šljivac , with guest star appearances from popular Croatian artists Jacques Houdek and Ivana Kindl, adding their personal touch to the multiple music genres on offer – classical, pop, blues, country and jazz.
In what has become a tradition at anniversary concerts, Agape Ensemble members spoke about their activities over the past forty years and the Adventist church they belong to as an integral part of their lives. A few days before the concert took place, the Agape Family Quartet appeared on the Croatian national television show Good Morning Croatia.
Support from Friends and Followers
Sponsorship partners include the Trans-European Division, the Adriatic Union Conference, the Croatian Conference, from among Croatian and Serbian members around the world. But the lead and biggest sponsor supporting Agape’s ministry is Zagreb City Council.
Some who had travelled from Serbia were notable by their presence – members of churches in the South East European Union Conference centred in Belgrade, Serbia. Their is a strong bond between the Adriatic and South-East European Union conferences, with Agape Ensemble singing in Serbia.
As Neven Klačmer, Communication director for the Adriatic Union, commented, “The Agape Ensemble is a tremendous support in helping our members share their faith. I have seen many examples tonight of pastors and members bringing friends in the community they connect with to the concert.”
In Praise of Him
“It all started”, says Matija Kovačević, “when I was a young child and my dad had a tall Double Bass standing in the corner of the room. As he moved it out of the corner to play, it caught my attention, and I remember walking up to the Bass and trying to pluck the string as he was. That’s my first real memory of a musical gene weaving through our family. We are so grateful for the support we receive to help make our music connect and improve people’s lives. Building bridges with the people of our nation and beyond for Christ is at the heart of all we do. That is why our anniversary concert has the title ‘In Praise of Him’, because we want all at the concert to know that our music is all about Him.”
Featured image and photos: Anja Patricija Cikač (stage photos) and David Neal (church leaders) and Marina Kovačević (hall panorama)
You can see more of the Agape Gospel Ensemble on:
Facebook: Agape Musician/band; Agape Family Quartet
Instagram: @Agape__official
YouTube: Gospel ansambl Agape; Agape Family Quartet
Thanks to Neven Klačmer for his collaboration in this report.
