Zagreb Flute Ensemble

The core of the ensemble is a flute quartet, but the number of performers can increase without restriction. This unique ensemble brings together experienced performers, young artists and flute students, giving young performers a rare opportunity to gain precious concert experience and expand their own repertoire with the help of experienced colleagues. Alongside Renata Penezic, the ensemble's artistic director, the ensemble is made up of the following permanent members: Marija Esih, Danijela Klaric Mimica, Ivana Vukojevic, Dijana Bistrovic, Lidija Ljubicic, Eva Cigic and Tamara Coha Mandic. All of the members have been educated at various higher music education institutions and have further perfected their skills both in Croatia and abroad.

ZAF pays particular attention to premiering and performing works of Croatian composers, thus enriching both domestic and world flute literature. Artists such as Miljenko Prohaska, Tomislav Uhlik, Alfi Kabiljo, Mladen Tarbuk, Sanja Drakulic, Matko Brekalo, Frano Ðurovic, Ivan Josip Skender, Bruno Vlahek, Gordan Tudor, Tibor Szirovicza, Ivana Kiš, Mario Miladin, Dragana Jovanovic, Ðorde Markovic, Damjan Jovicic, Dragana Tabak, Ulf Grahn, Doina Rotaru, Alexandre Ouzounoff, Marin Rabadan, David Mastikosa and Branimir Rezic have all composed for ZAF.

The enseble's repertoire includes classical pieces adapted to its formation, but focuses on the works of 20th and 20st century composers who use extremely advanced playing techniques, resulting in fascinating sound landscapes.

ZAF has thus far collaborated with Zagreb Concert  Management and Young Crew Croatia. Its program is artistically designed in collaboration with the House of Architecture – Oris, the Faculty of Textile Technology and the Academy of Dramatic Art, which gives a whole new dimension to the compositions, often creating a whole new work of art through a synergy or related arts. The ensemble has featured renowned flutistis Will Offermans and Carlo Jans.

ZAF has also produced five thematic concert cycles called The Three Seasons, a series of concerts in Croatia and abroad, as well as four very successful tours abroad: La Perle du Nord, 2013 (Novi Sad, Belgrade, Bitola, Thessaloniki and Skopje), Carrousel, 2014 (Sevilla, Malaga, Benalmadena and Barcelona), Golden Cities, 2015 (Budapest, Prague, Vienna and Pilzen). They have given guest performances at the prestigious flute festival  Convention Internationale de la Flûte in Paris (2016), at the ninth Flute Festival Singapore (2018) and in Melbourne, as a part of the project Along the riverrun (2019).

In 2019 ZAF's first CD named Carrousel was published by Cantus publishing house. It contains works of Croatian composers dedicated to ZAF.

ZAF dedicates special attention to projects for children, wishing to awaken their love for music (The Storyof the Nutcracker, book of fairytales Fairies with flutes by author Ivana Bjelica, Flute Day 2017).