ISRAELI PHILHARMONIC STAGES CONCERTS IN ZAGREB

( Editorial: --> 3624 ) ZAGREB, 14 Aug (Hina) - Directed by one of the most famous world conductors, Zubin Mehta, the Israeli Philharmonic held a concert in Zagreb's "Vatroslav Lisinski" concert hall on Thursday night. The concert was dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the modern Israeli state. With a long round of applause the audience greeted Mehta and the orchestra, which performed Beethoven Symphonies 5 and 6. The Israeli Philharmonic visited Zagreb following their concerts in Dubrovnik and Zadar. The orchestra is currently on a European tour. They have already visited Germany and Italy and are to visit Vienna and Spain after Zagreb. The programme of this year's tour includes four symphonies by Beethoven and one by Mahler. Zubin Mehta held his first concert in Zagreb back in 1960, when he directed the Croatian Radio-Television Symphony Orchestra. He visited Zagreb with the Israeli Philharmonic four years ago. Mehta is the life-long conductor of the Israeli Philharmonic, which was established in 1936 and has 110 members. Because of its numerous world tours, the Philharmonic is often called "Israel's best ambassador". Last night's concert represents continuation of the Croatian- Israeli cultural cooperation which began in March this year. The concert was organised by the Zagreb Concert Board. (hina) rml . 141121 MET aug 98