May 11 — Humanitarian hero Stefan Milenkovich brings his violin virtuosity to Indianapolis on Mothers Day
Every four years Indianapolis becomes the center of the violin universe with the International Violin Competition of Indianapolis. While you are rosining your bow in anticipation of 2010, enjoy 1994 Silver Medalist Stefan Milenkovich as he returns to the scene of his triumph.
When: Sunday May 11 — 2:30 PM
Where: Basile Theater Indiana History Center 450 W. Ohio Street - Indianapolis
Stefan_Milenkovich, the Yugoslavian violinist who holds the distinction of being the youngest Laureate in IVCI history, will bring his sizzling magnetism to the intimate stage of the Indiana History Center. At the age of ten Milenkovich played for Ronald Reagan in the White House, for Mikhail Gorbachev and Pope John Paul II. When the Bosnian-Herzegovinian war reached its height in 1994, the Milenkovich family moved to Italy, where they have been living since. Milenkovich used the fame he garnered in Indianapolis and other competition to advocate aid for Bosnia during the dissolution of his native Yugoslavia in the 1990s. He has since won almost as many awards for his humanitarian activities as for his musicianship. Mr. Milenkovich is deeply committed to international humanitarian causes. He was appointed “Child Ambassador” of the First Children Embassy founded in Medjasi, Yugoslavia, during the war in Bosnia. In 2002, he received the “Lifting Up the World With Oneness Heart” award for his humanitarian activities, handed to him personally by the guru Sri Chinmoy. Most recently, he received the 2003 “Most Humane Person” award in Belgrade, Yugoslavia. He also participated in a number of gala concerts under the auspices of UNESCO in Paris, with such artists as Placido Domingo, Lorin Maazel, Alexis Weissenberg, and Yehudi Menuhin.
Add to the mix the chance to see some of Indiana’s most talented violinists. The Indiana University Violin Virtuosi will perform with Stefan in a virtuoso duel. Led by Mimi Zweig, the IU Violin Virtuosi is a collection of musicians from one of the most prestigious violin training programs in the United States. These young artists between the ages of 10 and 17 perform both as soloists and as an ensemble and have appeared on public radio and television and in concert at Carnegie Hall. Their performances abroad include tours of Spain, France, Germany and Japan. A recent Emmy-nominated film entitled “Circling Around” documents this remarkable program.
Located on the downtown Central Canal, this perfect setting is a wonderful place to spend a quality Mother’s Day. In fact, if passionate violin virtuosity is something you think your mom would enjoy, take advantage of the Mothers’ Day brunch the Indiana Historical Society is offering before the concert. www.violin.org for information and reservations.
