Renowned opera singer Ljuban Živanović recently performed as a soloist in a concert of Mahler's Eighth Symphony, also known as "Symphony of a Thousand," held in the Czech Republic. The performance left a lasting impression on Živanović, who has built a rich career across Europe and now performs as a freelance artist in Germany.

Born in Serbia, Živanović completed his secondary music education in Belgrade and graduated from the Music Academy in Mannheim, Germany, in 2017. Since then, he has performed in various German opera houses and as a concert artist in Serbia, Germany, Italy, Russia, Romania, and Bulgaria.

Discussing his experience at the recent concert in the Czech Republic, Živanović says, "The sense of satisfaction will likely fully sink in over the coming days. Being part of such a musical spectacle, which does not happen often, is truly special. Under the baton of maestro Kristian Arming, 600 individuals (including the Janaček Philharmonia, Moravian-Silesian Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Wind Orchestra of Majovak Karvina, 13 choirs, and 8 soloists) breathed as one. The complexity and beauty of this unique and highly intricate piece are a pinnacle of the concert repertoire of classical music."

Živanović, who has lived and worked in Germany for years, explains why he chose this country for further development and work: "My longtime mentor, Professor Biserka Cvejić, led me to Germany for the Mannheim Music Academy entrance exam. Believing in her, I took that step. After my studies, I stayed in Germany, in Hamburg, where I still live. Germany may not have been my first choice, but Hamburg is a city I love and feel comfortable in."

When asked where he most enjoys performing, Živanović says, "Right now, the answer might be 'at home,' though it sounds slightly hollow. There is still a lot of truth in it. Some of my fondest memories are connected to performances in Hamburg, Petrograd, Belgrade, and several cities in Tuscany. This list now includes the performances of Mahler's Eighth Symphony in Ostrava. There are still so many places where I haven't performed and would like to, so I look forward to future engagements in new locations, as well as new performances in cities where I've already performed."