Beloved Zagreb Philharmonic violinist Paola Beziza dies

Paola Beziza began learning the violin at six and went on to become a prominent figure in the musical life of Croatia, Slovenia and Italy. The Zagreb Philharmonic announced the death of its longtime orchestra member, expressing deep sadness at the loss of a colleague.

Beziza studied with Annalise Clemente before continuing her education at the Cesare Pollini Conservatory in Padua, where she graduated in the class of violinist Piero Toso. As a young soloist, she won first prizes at competitions in Stresa in 1994 and 1996. She also won third prize in the Amadeus International Competition in Tolmezzo as part of a piano trio.

Chamber music became a particular passion. From 2004, she attended seminars in Duino led by members of the Trio di Trieste and Trio di Parma. She helped establish chamber ensembles and develop repertoires for piano trios and violin-piano duos. She also studied at the specialization academy in Portogruaro and attended master classes with musicians including Salvatore Accardo, Francesco Manara, Alberto Moccia and Christopher Hogwood.

During her career, Beziza worked with orchestras including Orchestra di Padova e del Veneto, I Pomeriggi Musicali of Milan, the Teatro Regio di Parma Orchestra, the Turin Philharmonic Orchestra, Filarmonia Veneta and the Udine Philharmonic Orchestra. From 2006, she served in the concertino group of first violins at the Orchestra Sinfonica del Friuli Venezia Giulia, now the Mitteleuropa Orchestra, and occasionally served as concertmaster. She also performed baroque music with the Terg Antiqua ensemble and took part in festivals dedicated to Antonio Vivaldi.

In 2011, she passed auditions for the Fondazione Arena di Verona and the Haydn Orchestra of Bolzano and Trento. That year, she also won a competition for the SNG Opera and Ballet Ljubljana, joining the orchestra in December.

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It is with great pain and sadness that we announce the death of our dear colleague, orchestra member Paola Beziza.