Ljubica Živković is a Serbian vocal pedagogue and former opera soloist, a mezzo-soprano. She is recognized as one of the most influential pedagogues in Serbia, whose students have achieved notable careers both in the country and abroad. She is the founder of the "Lazar Jovanović" International Solo Singer Competition and the vocal ensemble "Operetika," both significant pedagogical and performance projects for young opera singers.
Education and Early Career
Ljubica Živković began her music education at the "Josip Slavenski" Music School, where she simultaneously completed two departments: music theory and solo singing. After that, she continued her studies at the Faculty of Music in Belgrade, also in two departments. She graduated from the solo singing department in the class of Professor Radmila Smiljanić. This dual educational path, encompassing both theoretical knowledge and performance practice, shaped her holistic approach to music and pedagogy.
During her studies, she was a prominent soloist of the "Collegium Musicum" choir, with which she performed on numerous European stages. In collaboration with the Musical Youth, she also held more than a hundred concerts as part of the "Young for the Young" series, gaining significant stage experience.
Opera Career
Immediately after her studies, Ljubica Živković became a soloist at the National Theatre Opera in Belgrade. She spent thirteen seasons in this house, becoming one of the leading members of the ensemble. During that time, she performed roles in 360 opera performances. Her repertoire was extensive and included some of the most significant roles in opera literature, such as roles in the operas La Traviata, Carmen, The Barber of Seville, Boris Godunov, The Consul, The Daughter of the Regiment, The Queen of Spades, and The Bartered Bride.
In addition to her home stage, she performed as a soloist in opera houses in Ljubljana and Novi Sad. She also took part in a film adaptation of the opera Boris Godunov, where she collaborated with the Italian bass Ruggero Raimondi. Parallel to her opera career, she was a soloist with the YPA (Yugoslav People's Army) Arts Ensemble for 23 years, with which she also had numerous concerts at home and abroad.
Pedagogical Work
She began her pedagogical career in 1994 at the "Jovan Bandur" Music School in Pančevo, and then moved to the "Stanković" Music School in Belgrade. In 2004, she also formed her class at the Academy of Fine Arts in Belgrade. She also participated in the development of the solo singing department at the "Vlado Milošević" Music School in Banja Luka.
In 2000, at the "Stanković" Music School, she founded the "Operetika" Ensemble, composed of her current and former students. The ensemble served as a platform for young singers to gain stage experience.
For decades, she has been a jury member at the most important vocal competitions in Serbia and the region. For her work, she received the award from the Association of Music and Ballet Pedagogues of Serbia (UMBP) for long-term achievements in pedagogical work.