This year’s Youngmasters – International Summer School of Young Musicians in Samobor gained a special theatrical dimension through the side project “The Complete Interpretation of a Musical Song”, which brought together young singers and actors eager to explore one of the most demanding music-theatre genres – the musical. Over five intensive days of masterclasses, participants immersed themselves in the world of the song, learning how to align voice, body, emotion, and stage presence into a single, compelling performance.
What gave this project its unique value was its interdisciplinary approach. The sessions were led by outstanding experts from different fields: actress Renata Sabljak, who revealed the secrets of stage expression and authentic interpretation; vocal coach Sofija Cingula, who guided the participants through vocal technique and the art of phrasing; holistic pilates specialist Martina Vizek, who emphasized the importance of body and breath in performance; and maestro conductor Stjepan Vuger, whose musical precision and artistry provided the final touch.
The results of this joint effort culminated in the concert Musical Theatre Songs, held in the enchanting setting of the Balagovi Palace Hall in Lug Samoborski, whose historic charm and intimate acoustics created an ideal backdrop for revisiting Broadway’s golden era. The young performers transported the audience back to the 1920s through songs from the musicals Two Little Girls in Blue (1921), The Stepping Stones (1923), Shuffle Along (1921), Lady, Be Good (1924), Poor Little Ritz Girl (1920), Mary (1920), and Sweet Little Devil (1924). Performing without microphones, relying solely on their technique and expressiveness, they demonstrated how a song can be told in its entirety – through music, emotion, and drama.
The concert evening opened with the return of the Guitar Chamber Orchestra, re-formed this year after a six-year break within Youngmasters. Under the guidance of professor Petra Stojaković, young guitarists from across the region, joined by flutist Mia Zeljković, cellist Lara Novosel, and pianist Antonio Brajdić, performed Nino Rota’s music from the film Romeo and Juliet in a striking arrangement by Fabijan Košćak. Warmly received by the audience, the performance offered the young musicians an invaluable opportunity for ensemble playing, artistic growth, and the joy of collective creation.
The highlight of the concert came at the finale, when all participants, joined by Renata Sabljak, performed the moving song “Neka cijeli ovaj svijet” (Let the Whole World Sing) from the musical Jalta, Jalta. The hall was filled with emotion, unity, and gratitude – the very values that this project instilled in its young artists.
Adding special honor and support to the evening was the presence of Petra Škrobot, Mayor of Samobor, who congratulated the young performers on their achievements and expressed gratitude to the mentors, parents, and organizers. She emphasized the importance of the festival and summer school in enriching Samobor’s cultural life and in offering young musicians a priceless opportunity for education and artistic development.
The masterclass proved that the fusion of music, theatre, and education can create a truly unique experience – for both performers and audiences alike. And once again, Samobor has confirmed itself as a city that nurtures art, young talent, and cultural projects worthy of the highest praise.
