09 January 2024 | Zagreb, Croatia [Vladana Kovačević & Neven Klačmer]
At the 34th “Christmas in Cibona” concert, Ensemble Agape, a renowned Adventist Gospel group, delivered a stunning performance at the Dražen Petrović Basketball Centre in Zagreb, Croatia. The concert marked the group’s forty years of continuous music ministry, adding an extra layer of meaning to their soul-filled performance. The audience of around four thousand people was treated to an awe-inspiring rendition of “Psalm 95” (in Croatian – “O, dođite svi u najveći zbor”) and “Merry Christmas” (in Croatian – “Ovo sretan je čas!”), sung a cappella, followed by an orchestral accompaniment for their song.
Croatian TV and radio personality Mirko Fodor introduced Ensemble Agape, emphasising their remarkable achievements through the years, which was met with thunderous applause from the audience. The group shared the stage with other famous singers and choirs, including Dino Jelusić, Vanda Winter, Darija Auguštan, Zrinka Posavec, Krešimir Stražanac, Luka Nižetić, Tina Vukov, Rok Blažević, and the group Gazde. Additionally, under the artistic direction of maestro Zdravko Šljivac, the male members of Ensemble Agape were invited to join the diverse choirs and vocal groups, which resulted in them singing for the entirety of the concert.
The ensemble’s performance, which was broadcast live all over Croatia and worldwide through the Croatian National Radio and Television stations, received much attention and praise. The Mayor of the City of Zagreb, Tomislav Tomašević, expressed his gratitude for their inspired songs. The orchestration that artistic director Andrija Kovačević crafted for the Ensemble Agape’s performance was also highly appreciated by maestro Šljivac and the orchestra musicians.
“Ensemble Agape’s performances bring people from different countries and continents closer to God, touching their hearts with their beautiful singing,” commented Neven Klačmer, Adriatic Union Conference (AUC) Communication director. “Their name announces God’s wonderful love, and their performances represent the Adventist Church as light and salt in the world.” Messages of enthusiasm and congratulations were received from all over the world after their performance, proving the enduring impact of their music ministry. Congratulations to Ensemble Agape for this remarkable achievement!
[Photos: Adventpress and HRT]
