Ensemble CAMERATA GARESTIN

The Camerata Garestin ensemble brings together leading Croatian vocal and instrumental interpreters of 17th and 18th-century music. Founded in 2008 at the initiative of Varaždin cellist Krešimir Lazar, along with co-founders soprano Ivana Lazar, flutist Dani Bošnjak, and harpsichordist and organist Krešimir Has, the ensemble consists of musicians whose extensive experience has long contributed to the cultural and artistic life of the Republic of Croatia. This contribution has been recognized multiple times by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Croatia, which notably supports the ensemble's activities.

Camerata Garestin has received highly commendable reviews as the representative ensemble of the international Varaždin Baroque Evenings festival. The ensemble has also performed at the prestigious SEVIQC Brežice international baroque music festival and at the Festival of Croatian Music in Vienna, where they performed at the renowned Hofburgkapelle. Notably, Camerata Garestin is likely the first Croatian ensemble for early music to be professionally engaged in the Kingdom of the Netherlands (Voorschoten, The Hague, 2014) and has also performed in Switzerland, Sweden, Slovakia, Germany, Austria, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Members of the ensemble play replicas of baroque instruments. With its name, the ensemble honors Croatian historical heritage by showcasing the medieval significance of the city of Varaždin—Garestin—and is particularly connected to the international Varaždin Baroque Evenings festival, performing regularly since its inception. The ensemble's programming aims to present thematic concert projects, showcasing masterpieces of European and Croatian masters of the High Renaissance, Baroque, galant style, and early classical music. With special attention, the ensemble nurtures Croatian musical heritage, emphasizing the works of Ivan Marko Lukačić, Vinko Jelić, Gabriello Puliti, Tommaso Cecchini, and Ivan Šibenčanin.

As part of the 47th Varaždin Baroque Evenings, the ensemble was awarded the Jurica Murai Prize. In 2018, together with Ivana Lazar in the solo role, the ensemble recorded a sound archive titled Vulnerasti cor meum, featuring works by Croatian early baroque masters.