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Join The Magic Violin Trio for a night exploring the rich musical heritage of the Romany people across Eastern Europe and the Balkans.
Through her frequent fieldwork travels, bandleader Gundula has gathered songs and studied their musical and cultural roots. The Magic Violin Trio prefers to perform acoustically, allowing the raw beauty of their instruments to shine. For this performance, Gundula has curated a selection of pieces from old Yugoslavia and beyond—some tied to the weekend’s workshop theme, others highlighting stunning violin and cello duets to showcase the trio’s newest member, cellist Yiğıt Onat.
The Magic Violin Trio takes audiences on a musical journey through Eastern Europe and the Balkans, performing folk and Gypsy melodies with warmth and charisma. Rooted in tradition yet infused with fresh energy, their string arrangements and vocals bring these timeless tunes to life.
The trio features Gundula Stojanova Gruen on violin and lead vocals, Jeremy Halliwell on guitar and backing vocals, and, since early 2025, Yiğıt Onat on cello and backing vocals. The group emerged in 2020 from Gundula’s five-piece Balkan ensemble, Tatcho Drom, adapting to restrictions at the time—when only three musicians could fit in the rehearsal space.
Since then, they have performed numerous concerts in churches, chamber music venues, and festivals, including Benslow Music in Hitchin, the Royal Opera's Clore Theatre, Petersfield Museum, and Summerfield Festival in Exeter.