Goran Bregovic and His Weddings and Funerals Orchestra

Overview

According to Goran Bregovic, what sets Balkan music apart is its propensity for insanity: "In other countries, just plain music is enough. In the Balkans, it's not only about the music – it has to be madness."

In his sixty-two years, Bregovic has carried the gypsy craziness of his homeland to all four corners of the globe. After selling fifteen million albums as leader of Yugoslav rock band Bijelo dugme, he took to composing film scores.

On this visit to Australia, his first since 2008, he'll be travelling with his Weddings and Funerals Orchestra, which he has described as "an unlikely mix of extremes". Featuring a string quartet, a six-piece male choir, five brass musicians, two Bulgarian vocalists and a drummer, the ensemble will play music from Bregovic's new album, Champagne for Gypsies, as well as some older material.