75 years of activity

Critics and reviews

STOCKHOLMS TIDNINGEN – Stockholm, 1952.

“Our Royal Ballet could never have mastered those complicated rhythms and changes of rhythms sometimes performed even without music…The repertory of steps are enormous…and the dances are as varied as the costumes.”

AFTONBLADET – STOCKHOLM, 1952.

"It has been a long time since Stockholm has seen such a theatre performance. Boundless amounts of color, rhythm and delight are graciously offered to the audience."

HELSINKIN SANOMAT – HELSINKI, 1952.

“We are dealing with an ensemble which belongs among the best. An amazingly interesting program, both distinctive and diverse, presented us with an animated, high quality performance.”

TOUTE LA DANSE - PARIS, 1953.

"Their extraordinary skill is probably the result of hard work, but their noble and stately bearing and the quality of their work derive from the people, their love of dancing, the joy they feel when they are together, when they dance together. So as to seem more impartial we began looking for faults, but we could discern one.”

DAILY MAIL – LONDON, 1954.

“Today the LADO dancers surprised us with their stunning talent, speed and strength of style.”

NEUE ZEIT - BERLIN, 1956.

“It is a true pleasure to see the colorful, festive, original costumes and the decorative dances abounding in varied figures performed with great naturalness and grace. All this was accompanied by perfect collective execution, foot technique which is a feat of virtuosity, and the expressive movements of the body."

WESTFALEN BLATT – BIELEFELD, 1956.

“It was so brilliant, that something more brilliant cannot be imagined.”

FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE ZEITUNG – FRANKFURT, 1956.

“This is an example of irresistible folklore charm, a demonstration of an unrestrained lifelong happiness, and a diverse composition of national dances and music. This image, full of lively colours, has once again thrilled its audience.”

ZEMEDELSKE NOVINY – PRAG, 1956.

“Each dance was greater than the previous. The community was thrilled with the perfect execution and beauty of the songs and dances.”

LA METROPOLE - GAND, 1956.

"LADO excites with its color, variety and rhythm which is both light and lively.”

L'INDEPENDANT – PERPIGNAN, 1956.

"This was really folk ensemble Number One of the entire world and it was applauded enthusiastically by the audience."

LIDOVA DEMOKRACIE - PRAGUE, 1956.

“It is difficult to decide what to praise more: the costumes, the daring and creativity of colors and forms, or the complex rhythms performed with dizzying tempo and absolute skill by tireless, unflagging performers flying, jumping and turning in their dances, forceful and brilliant as flames.”

L’INDEPENDENT - PERPIGNAN, 1957.

““A truly extraordinary program was presented by the ensemble from Zagreb, a complete group in which the dancers, singers and musicians form a perfect unity. The perfection of the dances, the synchronized movements of female and male dancers are astounding. It is difficult to imagine greater exactness and elasticity, greater ease of movement or greater unity. This ensemble seems incomparably better from any ensemble of this kind that we have seen up to now.”

LA NOUA STAMPA - TORINO, 1958.

“LADO, the folk ensemble from Zagreb, which appeared last night at the Alfieri Theatre, presented by the Society of Music Friends, is inspired by strictly cultural criteria. Such seriousness deserves great respect; the ancient dances and songs from Croatia haven’t been marred by any manipulation or concession to superficial effects. Consequently, the performance retained the same level of stylistic unity and compactness throughout.”

LA SECCION – MONTEVIDEO, 1962.

“LADO dancers presented an amazing show, full of grace and character, which carried much enthusiasm. But it isn't only this aspect which excites us. Here, we also have an elegant, emotional, and artistic creation. National costumes, characterized by specific regions of Croatia, are remarkably beautiful. The dancers win over the audience with their abilities. Everything is so spontaneous, that the spectator finds himself believing to be among the actual villagers, as supposed to artists. It is as if one has been led through a foreign land, seduced by its beauty.”

EL MERCURIO – VALPARAISO, 1962.

"Not one person left the theatre without saying a word of praise for this wonderful performance, expression of culture, great taste and temperament; such a unique performance presented simply and powerfully."

EL DEBATE - MONTEVIDEO, 1962.

“The audience was deeply impressed by their expressiveness and astonishing authenticity. The dances struck us with their original purity which was thrown into relief by fine choreography.”

SOVJETSKA KULTURA – MOSKVA, 1962.

"LADO's concert presents a symphony of movement and sound"

PRAVDA UKRAINE – KIEV, 1962.

“This is a superb group; distinctive for its performing culture. Characteristically, every dance is accompanied by singing, where one sees that the performers are not only amazing dancers, but amazing singers as well.”

LA DERNIERE HEURE – BRUXELLES, 1963.

“Perhaps the most entertaining performance among the many guest ensembles, which we were able to see.”

THE NEW YORK TIMES - NEW YORK, 1967.

“LADO, the Folk Dance Ensemble, began its visit in the City Centre. There is nothing more moving. An image of pure style and class is presented here.”

LA BOURSE EGYPTIENNE – KAIRO, 1968.

“Their lavish costumes, dances and songs, display an amazing unity and perfect discipline. Fast paced rhythms are executed with mind boggling precision and skill. The ensemble manages to perform dances from various regions of Croatia with such expertise, so that practically every show in itself is a small masterpiece.”

IL MATTINO – NAPULJ, 1969.

“Let us remember their tremendous success at EXPO 67, where LADO was considered the best folklore ensemble of its time. This is best proven once again by last night's show at the San Carlo Theatre, where we were introduced to a uniquely original program, in which every number was spectacular.”

IL LAVORO – GENOVA, 1969.

“Rarely has a folklore ensemble been able to touch upon all our musical senses on such a grand measure. Extreme modern culture has made it difficult to know one's earthly breath. Anyone who has forgotten the taste of fresh spring water has a spiritual responsibility to attend tonight's second LADO performance.”

IL CITTADINO – GENOVA, 1969.

“In this time of confusion and lack of spontaneity, a message of pure serenity and an instinctive longing for simple tradition is a life saving element. A passion and attachment to historic traditions, passed on from one generation to the next, exudes from the artistry of the Zagreb ensemble, which makes it one of the best folklore groups in the world.”

DEL LUNEDI - ROMA, 1969.

“The picturesque, gay and spirited joyful and spirited presentation of folk dances and songs was warmly acclaimed by the audience. Among the dancers the grace of the women and the skill of the men were specially admired.”

EVENING NEWS – LONDON, 1978.

“An audience of 5000 certainly appreciated some of the most skillful and inventive performances of the national dance ever seen at the Royal Albert Hall.”

AFTENPOSTEN - OSLO, 1979.

“The appearance of the LADO ensemble last Saturday as part of the Bergen Festival was a rich experience and a presentation of authentic folklore of the highest quality…No less important, let us also mention the exceptional, joyful life energy radiating from the ensemble. The numerous and exceptionally rich national costumes also brought much color and atmosphere to this performance. In short - it was folklore performed at the highest possible level.”

BERGEN TIDENDE – BERGEN, 1979.

"It was a once in a lifetime experience. There was speed, tension, precision and artistic accomplishment, the joy of dance. It was folklore which impressed; real professional folklore of the highest quality."

THE JERUSALEM POST – JERUZALEM, 1987.

“In brief, LADO was exactly as fresh and entertaining as folklore can and should be. LADO is one of the best.”

AUDIENCE IMPRESSIONS – Japan, October/ November 2006

“...If I was born again, I would like to be born a Croat, so I could dance these beautiful dances with LADO.”

Dance Commentary by Heather Desaulniers - Washington D.C., 2009.

“Though it is very difficult to reduce a two-hour performance to just a few thoughts, there are three words that best describe LADO: smooth, calm and joyful. ...Yet, what impressed me the most was the absolute elation that was exuded from every dancer on the stage. They radiated pure joy with each other, with the audience and with the dance. The pride was in their culture, not in flashy theatrical demonstrations; theirs was an intimate honesty expressed through a lineage of movement.“

La Voce del Popolo, Ivana Precetti, 2019

The LADO Ensemble Concert, held on Saturday night in front of a focused audience, was one of those events that leaves a lasting mark and touches the soul, something almost too perfect to be true. The audience gathered in Opatija was treated to two and a half hours of flawless magic. The spectacle may be described as pure perfection, where every single step, every note, every color, virtuosity or recited word, was balanced, carefully selected and impeccably executed. Each number was rewarded with a heartfelt applause.

Trg Republike Hrvatske 6a, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

OIB: 28251263363

MB: 3213862

Tel: +385 1 4828 472, 4828 473; Fax: +385 1 48 28 474

E-mail: lado@lado.hr

IBAN: HR6123600001101270924, Zagrebačka banka


Partneri

"Folklor je kao i livada, puna raznobojnog poljskog cvijeća, ništa u njem nije isto, uvijek je sve novo, uvijek je malo drugačije i još ljepše..." - Zvonimir Ljevaković