FULL Alma (Osmanagić) Sarajevo 2012 Aida Čorbadžić, Denis Isaković
Information on the Performance
- Work Title: Alma
- Composer: Osmanagić Jasmin
- Libretto: Jasmin Osmanagić Libretto Text, Libretto Index
- Venue & Opera Company: Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Recorded: November 11, 2012
- Type: Staged Opera Live
- Singers: Aida Čorbadžić, Denis Isaković
- Conductor: Dario Vucic
- Orchestra: Sarajevo Philharmonic
- Choreographer: Ferid Karajica
- Stage Director: Ferid Karajica
- Costume Designer:
Information about the Recording
- Published by: Jasmin Osmanagic
- Date Published: 2015
- Format: Streaming
- Quality Video: 3 Audio:3
- Subtitles: yessubs, desubs
- Video Recording from: YouTube FULL VIDEO
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THIS PERFORMANCE
The opera “Alma” opens with an overture (part 4 of the symphony “Sarajevo”). This shows Sarajevo in the 1930s (between the two world wars) with all the differences, yet very diversely connected.
Theme of the overture, the folk song “My dearest, my dearest” (sevdalinka)*, with idioms from the Bosnian-Herzegovinian language, which finds its origin in past Turkish expressions, continues to be used as one of the opera’s leitmotifs.
The libretto itself is based on the story about Mr. Alibeg and his daughter Alma, who lived on Abdesthana Street, not far from Alibeg’s workshop, which was on Kazandžiluk Street.
In order to pass on traditions from one generation to the next, Mr. Alibeg also intended; that his only daughter teaches his craft so that she can continue this tradition. The craft of “Kazandžiluk” is a limitless art. Alma, who was very talented, made various copper objects from an early age, which were also a trademark of the shop. Belonging to a new generation, she found it difficult to reconcile with the old traditional Baščaršija styles represented by Mr. Alibeg. Day in, day out he always made the same things – he has been making the same things for years, if not as long as he can remember – jugs (džezve), cups (fildžane), jugs (ibrike) and platters. (tepsije). But Alma had long since surpassed him in manufacturing. Unfortunately, since she often deviated from what her father taught her, she was mostly under his supervision. The strict Alibeg, a tall but stubborn master, did not want new styles. He stubbornly clung to the old traditions. For the sake of truth, Alma always had idiosyncratic ideas that only she could understand. She tried to do them whenever Alibeg wasn’t in the store. Those were rare moments. As a rule, he sat in the neighboring restaurant, where he met his friends to talk and drink coffee. He never stayed long there because of the great, but also exaggerated concern for his only child. His wife died when Alma was just four months old.
At that time the Culture and Art Days were taking place in Sarajevo. Alma’s school also organizes various cultural events there. One such event was a trip by Alma’s class to the State Theater for a ballet performance; there was also a competition for the best artistic work at the school. It was talked about all over the Baščaršija. Everyone was excited and curious.