Summer with Pearls 2026

Once again this year, the “Summer with Pearls” concert series returns to Koper’s city center. On three consecutive Wednesdays in August, the charming garden—the intimate and evocative lapidarium of the Koper Regional Museum—will host the series, featuring a curated selection of music.

The opening performance on August 5 will feature the witty Radgona-based rapper Leopold I, On August 12, Istrian troubadour Rudi Bučar will take the stage, and on August 19, this year’s “Summer with Pearls” will conclude with the legendary Pivka band Ana Pupedan—actually, the acoustic Ante Upedanten, who will host his electric sister Ana.

When?

5th, 12th and 19th of August

Where?

Lapidarium, Koper Regional Museum

PROGRAM

August 5th at 8:00 p.m.: Leopold I and the Others

Leopold I. (Michael Leopold) is one of the most prominent voices in the Slovenian rap scene. He creates music in the distinctive Radgona dialect, where he is from. He first drew attention on the Slovenian music scene primarily with the songs “Nesen,” “Pleše po svoje,” and “Kinderšpil,” as well as with the album Dobro jütro, and with an exceptional cover of Kreslin’s “Tiste zakartane ure.” His lyrics wittily, lucidly, and socially critically portray the life of the common man, interwoven with humor and an exceptional knack for weaving musical narratives. With his originality and linguistic authenticity, he is considered one of the most interesting and insightful voices in contemporary Slovenian rap. He is coming to Koper with his backing band.

August 12th at 8:00 p.m.: Rudi Bučar

For more than two decades, Rudi Bučar has been preserving the Istrian musical tradition and is one of its most recognizable “promoters” in Slovenia. He enjoys weaving Istrian melodies from folk and original songs with contemporary influences from folk, jazz, and ethno music. He captivates audiences with his spontaneous, lively, and musically flawless concerts. The icing on the cake is his refined and deeply expressive vocal interpretation—he completed his studies in jazz singing and arranging at the University of Trieste. An exceptional musical evening is in store in Koper, featuring a mix of numerous evergreen hits as well as a presentation of his latest album, Kamen trn brin. The trio we’re looking forward to features Rudi Bučar (vocals, guitar), Goran Krmac (tuba, foot drum, tambourine), and Anže Vrabec (piano, Hammond organ).

August 19 at 8:00 p.m.: Ana Pupedan

The grand finale of this year’s “Summer with Pearls” concert series will be provided by the legendary Pivka-based band Ana Pupedan, which will perform a rarely heard acoustic set at the intimate Lapidarium venue: Ante Upedanten will ensure “a beautiful, quiet evening” with a special guest—his sister, the electric Ana Pupedan. Singer and violinist Simon Avsec, guitarist Boštjan Požar-Skok, and bassist Peter Žnidaršič will pay tribute to the band’s co-founder, the late Marko Doles, and for the first time in his hometown of Koper, we’ll welcome the band’s new drummer, Andrej Pirjevec.

Tickets will go on sale soon.