Since it’s founding in 1991, Bassomania has featured some of the most prominent double bass artists from across Europe.
Explore the visual and musical history of the festival.
34th BASSOMANIA (2025)
Guest: Dominik Wagner (MDw VIENNA)
The 34th edition of the Bassomania Festival took place in Belgrade from December 11 to 14, 2025, bringing together performers, composers, students, and audiences through a diverse concert and educational program dedicated to the double bass. The special guest of the festival was Dominik Wagner, one of the leading double bass artists of his generation, who conducted masterclasses at the Faculty of Music in Belgrade from December 10 to 14, working closely with students and young professionals.
The festival opened on December 11 at the Belgrade Philharmonic Hall with a concert by the Bassomania Double Bass Quartet, presenting three world premieres of newly composed works written especially for the ensemble. The concert featured performances by Zoran Marković, Slobodan Gerić, Ljubinko Lazić, and Fahrudin Strojil, with compositions by Vladimir Korać, Predrag Radisavljević, and Ivan Jevtić. A central highlight of the festival followed on December 13, when Dominik Wagner appeared in recital with pianist Dušan Egerić at the Christian Adventist Church, performing works by J. S. Bach, L. Montag, C. Saint-Saëns, and G. Gershwin.
The festival concluded on December 14 with the traditional Students’ Concert at the Faculty of Music Hall, reaffirming one of Bassomania’s core values, the continuous support and promotion of new generations of double bassists. Admission to all festival events was free, and the festival was supported by the SOKOJ Fund for Cultural Contributions.
33rd BASSOMANIA (2024)
Guest: Todor Marković (NDR Hannover)
The 33rd edition of the Bassomania Festival was held from December 11 to 15, 2024. This year’s masterclass was led by the renowned Todor Marković, solo double bassist of the NDR Orchestra in Hannover. His recital with pianist Dušan Egerić took place on December 13 at the Faculty of Music in Belgrade.
On December 14, the concert “Three Premieres” was held at the Christian Adventist Church, featuring brand-new compositions for double bass and string orchestra by Ivan Jevtić, Tatjana Milošević, and Aleksandar Sedlar. The soloists were Slobodan Gerić and Dušan Zdravković, accompanied by the St. George Strings under the baton of Srboljub Dinić.
The festival concluded with the traditional Students’ Concert on December 15 at the Faculty of Music. Bassomania 2024 once again brought together generations of bassists, composers, and audiences in celebration of the artistry and spirit of the double bass.
32nd BASSOMANIA (2023)
Guest: Ivan Kitanović (Wiener Symphoniker)
The 32nd edition of the Bassomania Festival took place from December 13 to 18, 2023, at the Faculty of Music in Belgrade and several prestigious concert venues throughout the city. This year’s masterclass was led by Ivan Kitanović, solo double bassist of the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, and featured a series of four concerts showcasing renowned artists and young performers alike.
The festival opened on December 16 with a recital by Ivan Kitanović (double bass) and Dušan Egerić (piano) at the Christian Adventist Church. On December 17, Ljubinko Lazić performed with the ensemble 13 String Players under the baton of Srđan Sretenović at the Belgrade Philharmonic Hall, followed by the Students’ and Pupils’ Concert at the Faculty of Music the same day. The festival concluded on December 18 with a recital by Filip Dokljanov (double bass) and Dušan Egerić (piano) at the Student Cultural Center, celebrating the new generation of Serbian double bass artists.
Once again, Bassomania proved to be a unique platform for musical exchange and collaboration, bridging students and professionals in a shared passion for the art of the double bass.
31st BASSOMANIA (2022)
Guest: Prof. Rick stotijn (robert schumann hochschule, düsseldorf)
The 31st edition of the Bassomania Festival took place from December 15 to 18, 2022, at the Faculty of Music in Belgrade and the city’s leading concert venues. The festival featured an exceptional lineup of performances and masterclasses, once again confirming Bassomania’s reputation as one of the most significant double bass events in the region.
The festival began on December 15 with a recital by Stevan Jovanović (double bass) and Bojana Dimković (piano) at the Belgrade Philharmonic Hall, featuring works by Fauré, Beethoven, and Schubert. On December 17, the traditional Students’ Concert took place at the Faculty of Music, followed by the highlight event of the festival — a recital by Rick Stotijn (double bass) and Dušan Egerić (piano), with special guests The Four and a Half Double Basses Quartet. Their program included music by Vivaldi, Bottesini, Lançen, Schumann, Tabakov, Montag, Popović, and Milošević, performed at the Christian Adventist Church.
Throughout the festival, Rick Stotijn led an inspiring masterclass for students and professionals, held at the Faculty of Music from December 15 to 18. His teaching and artistry left a lasting impression, enriching the festival’s long tradition of excellence and creative collaboration.
30th BASSOMANIA (2021)
Guest: Prof. Roman patkoló (University of music, basel)
The 30th jubilee edition of Bassomania marked three decades of one of the most respected regional and European festivals dedicated to the art of the double bass. Held in Belgrade from December 9 to 12, 2021, the festival brought together leading artists, professors, and students, continuing its long tradition of celebrating the depth and expressiveness of the instrument.
The program featured the Double Bass Quartet, consisting of renowned regional musicians whose long collaboration has defined a unique artistic sound. The special guest of the jubilee edition was Roman Potkolo (Slovakia) — one of the most acclaimed double bass virtuosos in the world — who performed with pianist Dušan Egerić, delivering a concert of extraordinary energy and musical sophistication.
A highlight of the festival was the premiere of Patrick Süskind’s monodrama “The Double Bass Player,” performed by actor Đorđe Kreća under the direction of Vladan Đurković, at the Belgrade Philharmonic Hall on December 11.
The festival concluded with a Gala Concert of the most promising double bass students and pupils, who had the honor of closing the jubilee edition with a performance in the newly renovated Concert Hall of the Faculty of Music in Belgrade.
As part of the celebration, a concert presentation of the exclusive double CD and monograph “30th Bassomania,” published by the Faculty of Music’s Publishing Center, was held on December 10.
The event once again confirmed Bassomania’s place as a central meeting point for the double bass community of Southeast Europe and beyond.
29th BASSOMANIA (2020)
Guests: Prof. Zoran Marković, prof. ljubinko lazić & prof. mario ivelja
Despite the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the 29th edition of Bassomania was successfully held in a hybrid format.
Masterclasses with Prof. Mario Ivelja (Academy of Music, Zagreb), Prof. Zoran Marković (Academy of Music, Ljubljana), and Prof. Ljubinko Lazić (Faculty of Arts, Niš) were conducted online, ensuring that the festival’s educational mission continued even under restrictive circumstances.
The concert on December 14 at the Guarnerius Hall (Aleksa Šepec – double bass, Dušan Egerić – piano) and the student and music school concerts on December 20 at the Faculty of Music were successfully held in accordance with health and safety protocols.
The only cancelled event was the Double Bass Quartet “4 i po kontrabasa” concert scheduled for December 18.
Even in this exceptional year, Bassomania upheld its tradition of connecting double bassists, teachers, and students across borders, demonstrating resilience, unity, and dedication to artistic growth.
28th BASSOMANIA (2019)
Guest: Prof. petru iuga (University of music, mannheim)
The 28th edition of the Bassomania Double Bass Festival took place in Belgrade from December 12 to 15, 2019, featuring renowned double bassist Petru Iuga from Transylvania as the festival’s guest artist.
Iuga, one of the most respected performers and educators of his generation, held an inspiring series of masterclasses at the Faculty of Music in Belgrade, working with students from Serbia and the region.
The festival’s concert program opened with Iuga’s recital on December 13 at the Student Cultural Center (SKC), accompanied by pianist Dušan Egerić, with a program including works by Bach, Schubert, and Tchaikovsky.
The following evening, on December 14, the audience enjoyed a gala concert with the St. George Strings, conducted by Biljana Radovanović Brkanović, featuring soloists Petru Iuga, Slobodan Gerić, Ljubinko Lazić, Marko Josifovski, Nikola Buljančević, and Aleksa Šepec, performing music by Dittersdorf, Bottesini, and Bartók.
The festival concluded on December 15 with school and student concerts held in the Great Hall of the Faculty of Music, showcasing young talents and confirming the educational and inspirational mission that has defined Bassomania for nearly three decades.
27th BASSOMANIA (2018)
no guest professor - edition dedicated to student performances
The 27th edition of Bassomania was held at the Faculty of Music in Belgrade, featuring concerts by students and young double bassists. Although there was no guest professor that year, the event continued the tradition of promoting young talents and celebrating the spirit of the double bass community.
26th BASSOMANIA (2017)
Guest: Prof. Zoran Marković (Academy of music, Ljubljana)
The 26th edition of Bassomania was held from 14–16 December 2018 at the Faculty of Music in Belgrade.
Renowned Slovenian double bassist and pedagogue Prof. Zoran Marković led the masterclass, gathering students from music schools and academies across Serbia — from Ćuprija, Vršac, Novi Sad, Kragujevac, and Belgrade.
The festival concluded on December 16th with two concerts in the Great Hall of the Faculty of Music:
the School Concert at 5 PM and the Student Concert at 7 PM, featuring young performers who showcased their progress and enthusiasm for the double bass.
The 26th Bassomania once again highlighted the importance of mentorship, education, and collaboration in fostering the next generation of Serbian double bassists.
25th BASSOMANIA (2016)
Guest:
Prof. Josef Niederhammer (University of music, Vienna)
The 25th edition of the Bassomania festival marked a special anniversary under the motto “25 years and make it double… at least”. The jubilee celebration featured the distinguished double bassist and pedagogue Prof. Josef Niederhammer, who held a masterclass from December 15–17 at the Faculty of Music in Belgrade.
The opening concert took place on December 15 in the SKC Hall, with the St. George Strings chamber orchestra conducted by Rade Pejičić, and soloists Slobodan Gerić and Boban Stošić. The program included works by Katarina Miljković, Zoran Erić, and Ognjen Bogdanović, showcasing a blend of contemporary Serbian compositions for double bass and orchestra.
The festival concluded with performances by students and young bassists.
The jubilee year was a vibrant celebration of Bassomania’s legacy — honoring a quarter-century of tradition, artistic exchange, and the enduring passion for the double bass.
24th BASSOMANIA (2015)
no guest professor - edition dedicated to student performances
The 24th Bassomania festival was held on December 20, 2015, in the Grand Hall of the Faculty of Music in Belgrade. Dedicated to nurturing the youngest generation of double bassists, this edition featured performances by students from music schools and academies across Serbia.
Through a spirit of collaboration, enthusiasm, and artistry, Bassomania 2015 once again affirmed its role as a key event in the education and promotion of double bass performance, inspiring young musicians to continue developing their skills and passion for music.
22nd BASSOMANIA (2014)
Guest: Prof. Mario ivelja (academy of music, zagreb)
The 22nd edition of Bassomania was held on December 20, 2014, at the Faculty of Music in Belgrade. The festival brought together students and young double bassists from Zagreb, Ćuprija, Kraljevo, Novi Sad, and Belgrade.
The guest professor, Mario Ivelja, a renowned double bass pedagogue from the Zagreb Academy of Music, held a masterclass and worked closely with young performers, focusing on interpretation, sound, and technique.
Through concerts of students and joint performances, the festival continued its tradition of fostering collaboration and artistic exchange among the next generation of double bassists in the region.
21st BASSOMANIA (2013)
Guest: Prof. alberto bocini (University of music, geneva)
The 21st edition of Bassomania was held from December 19 to 21, 2013, at the Faculty of Music in Belgrade. The festival featured a masterclass led by Prof. Alberto Bocini from Italy, one of Europe’s leading double bass soloists and educators.
Throughout the event, students and young professionals had the opportunity to work closely with Prof. Bocini, gaining insights into advanced performance techniques and interpretation. The festival concluded with a recital by Prof. Bocini, accompanied by Dušan Egerić on piano, performing works by Bocini and Bottesini.
The concerts, held in the Great Hall of the Faculty of Music, also featured performances by students from music schools and academies across Serbia, continuing the festival’s mission of promoting artistic growth and international exchange within the double bass community.
