I often reflect with pleasure on one particular incident from my childhood when my primary school teacher contacted my father to complain about the contents of my homework. The paragraph to which she took exception was one wherein I expressed my desire to become a singer. Fortunately, my father, a dentist by profession, was himself an exceptionally gifted amateur singer and accordion player. He fully understood where my passion came from even though I was only eight years old at the time!!!
In my sixteenth year, I started studying classical music at the Conservatoire of Music, Subotica, Serbia. By then, I was already doing my A levels, majoring in Science and Mathematics. At the time, I harboured the idea of following my father's footsteps into dentistry. However, it was not long after joining the Conservatoire that I changed my mind and decided to try my luck as a singer. After successfully completing my A levels and conservatoire, I was accepted at the Academy of Music in Belgrade. There I completed my B.A. Degree in Music before making my career defining move to Britain. Little did I know, at the time, that my favourite opera singer, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, will one day become my mentor and play an important part in my vocal and career development.
I have never regretted choosing this musical path. On the contrary, I am proud of it. Indeed, my dedication to singing has helped me to endure some very difficult times in my life, in particular the death of my dear father. He passed away far too young, never to see me graduate from University or gain my Masters Degree in London.
But I am so blessed that my family has always fully supported my career. I will always cherish, with love, those warm summer evenings at home, singing duets round the dinner table with my granny. My mother, sisters and my husband, are devoted groupies and Number One Fans. Finally the only person who still needs persuasion is my little niece, who tells me that my singing is very loud!!!
Gordana
Gordana Kostić was born is Serbia and is now permanently based in London, UK. Gordana is privileged to be studying with worldwide renowned opera star Dame Kiri Te Kanawa. Gordana holds an MMus Degree in Performance Studies, Advanced Diploma, Postgraduate Certificate and Diploma in Singing from the Trinity College of Music in London where she was supported by Aurelius and Leverhulme Foundation. She is also a graduate in singing from the Faculty of Music, University of Art in Belgrade, Serbia. Throughout her stadies she was also awarded grants by Kathleen Trust, Wax Chandlers Livery Company, Helen Elder Memorial Trust, Rivendell Trust, William Cox Memorial Trust, UK and Opus 50 Investments, Australia. Gordana also won a First Prize in the Orpheus Laureates Solo Singing Competition.
Gordana's opera engagements include the title role in Carmen and The Coronation of Poppea, Mimi in La Boheme, Cio-Cio San in Madam Butterfly, Despina in Cosi fan tutte, Micaela and Frassquita in Carmen, Belinda in Dido and Aeneas, Dama Disincatata & Altra Domigella in Francesca Caccini's La Liberazione di Ruggiero dall'Isola dal'Alcina, Mary in British premier of Brunel's Kingdom. She has also toured the USA visiting 62 cities with Columbia Artist Management, performing Kate Pinkerton in Madam Butterfly.
Alongside her operatic career, Gordana Kostić has extensive Lieder and Oratorio repertoire including Beethoven's Mass in C, Brahm's Requiem, Mozart's Requiem, Exultate Jubilate and Vespers Laudate Dominum, Vesperea De Domenica, Handel's Messiah and Gloria, Poulenc's and Vivaldi's Gloria, Haydn's Kleine Orgelmesse and Missa Cellensis, Schubert's Mass in G, Rossini's Petit Messe Solenelle, Britten's Rejoice in the Lamb, Purcell's Hail Bright Cecilia Bach's Cantata 140, 'Sleepers, Wake!' etc.
Her concert appearances include several visits to Spain, Israel, USA, France, Ireland, Hungary, Bermuda, Italy Serbia and the performances at the prestigious International Opera Festival in Miskolc, Hungary, The Royal Festival Hall, Fairfield Hall, St John's Smith Square, St Martins- in- the Field, St James Piccadilly, London, Brighton Festival, Kolarac (Belgrade) etc. Gordana has also performed with conductors and pianists such as Robin Stapleton, Julius Drake, David Syrus, Mark Packwood, James Gaddarn, Andrea Quinn, Philip Ledger, etc. Her future engagements include recitals in New York, Schubert Society, London and the tour of Middle and Far East.
Gordana has several appearances on the Serbian National TV, Bermudan TV, including an interview with the Radio Free Europe regarding her own recitals with philosophical and challenging context called "War Through the Centuries" listened by millions around Europe.
Click here to download a short audio sample of my voice.
Telephone: +44 777 6451978; +41 765 190 725
Web: www.gpmusicmanagement.com
Mail: gordana@gordanakostic.com