Ivan pl. Zajc’s opera Nikola Šubić Zrinjski will have its premiere at the Opera of the Croatian National Theatre Split on Saturday, 22 November at 8 p.m. The production is realized in cooperation with the Croatian National Theatre in Osijek as part of the K-HNK project, a consortium of Croatian national theatres. Under the baton of maestro Mihail Sinkevich and directed by Lea Anastazija Fleger, the premiere will feature baritone Matija Meić in the title role of the Croatian Ban Zrinjski; sopranos Antonija Teskera and Nela Šarić as his wife Eva and daughter Jelena; tenor Roko Radovan as Lovro Juranić; bass Božo Župić as Suleiman the Magnificent; along with other soloists, the Opera Chorus and Orchestra, and the Ballet of CNT Split.
“There are operas, and then there is Zrinjski,” is a frequently quoted remark by Boris Papandopulo. Zajc’s romantic historical tragedy about the heroic death of Croatian soldiers who stood in the way of the powerful Ottoman army achieved great success at its 1876 world premiere at the National Theatre in Zagreb, and has since remained a beloved title in Croatian opera houses.
At the press conference, CNT Osijek director Vladimir Ham stated: “After the extremely successful—and I’d say the most successful—K-HNK project so far, the ballet The Snow Queen, intendant Bilandžić and I realized that the essence of this project is not only guest performances, but combining the best our theatres can offer and presenting it to the Croatian public. We believe this production will tour other Croatian stages besides Osijek and Split.”
CNT Split intendant Vicko Bilandžić added: “I think the excellent cooperation between our theatre and Osijek is a great example of what the K-HNK project can be and can achieve. Maestro Sinkevich has dedicated himself wholeheartedly to our national treasure and has chosen a remarkable cast. We will see and hear a new, fresh Zrinjski for the 21st century.”
The Opera Director of CNT Osijek, Ladislav Vrgoč, highlighted the large number of young opera singers participating in the production. “The future—and indeed the present—of opera in Croatia and this part of Europe rests on these young artists. They can perform Zrinjski, as well as any other opera, at the highest level. That is a great promise for the future of Croatian opera. Director Fleger has placed the music at the forefront.”
Conductor maestro Sinkevich said: “This opera was written precisely for singing, and that warms my soul. It is a brilliant 19th-century opera with world-class qualities; it is not a work of merely local significance. I regret that audiences in other countries do not know it. I am thrilled with this excellent cast. I am very happy that the first three performances are almost sold out, and we will do our best for our audience.”
Matija Meić, who will sing the title role at the premiere, said: “This is my second collaboration with CNT Split this year, and I’m very happy about it. I sang my first Verdi role here, and now I will debut as Zrinjski. This is a legendary role for Croatian baritones, something like Boris Godunov for Russian basses and baritones. All the great Croatian baritones have sung Zrinjski. I’m also glad I can share this debut with Marko Lasić. Each of us is crafting a fully rounded character in his own way. The cast has fantastic synergy; rehearsals are filled with joy, mutual support, and inspiration. In such an atmosphere, true creativity can flourish. This work is one of the cornerstones of Croatian cultural identity and deserves to be performed in an optimal creative environment. I hope the audience will recognize that.”
CNT Split soloist Marko Lasić, who also performs the role of Zrinjski, said: “It is every Croatian baritone’s dream to sing this role at least once. It is an exceptional honor and responsibility to embody Zrinjski.”
“It’s not easy to perform after the great Croatian basses who have sung the role of Suleiman,” said Božo Župić. “I thank maestro Sinkevich for choosing me for the premiere cast. This production has two casts, and it’s impossible to say which is better—that is worth mentioning. Let this performance be our tribute to the Vukovar and Škabrnja Remembrance Day that we commemorated a few days ago.”
“I have already sung Juranić in Zagreb,” said tenor Roko Radovan. “In this new direction, Juranić also gains a romantic dimension that elevates him even more. The role has now grown together with me, allowing me to focus more on maestro Sinkevich’s musical instructions and to enjoy the charm of this new production without stress. Given the excellent atmosphere already mentioned, I’m convinced the performance will be strong, and I look forward to the premiere.”
The cast (across both ensembles) includes: Matija Meić / Marko Lasić, Antonija Teskera / Maja Andrijolić, Nela Šarić / Neda Pejković, Felipe Ćudina Begović / Matija Škiljo, Roko Radovan, Rafael Đangradović, Božo Župić, Mate Akrap, Bože Jurić Pešić / Stjepan Franetović, Martin Hazdovac, Mihovil Peko, Joško Tranfić / Vlatko Belas, Matija Škiljo.
The creative team, in addition to conductor Mihail Sinkevich and director Lea Anastazija Fleger, includes: set designer Ivo Knezović; costume designer Tea Bašić Erceg; Maja Huber, responsible for movement and choreography; lighting and projection designer Vesna Kolarec; concertmaster Valter Lovričević; chorus master Maro Rica; director’s associate Tea Požgaj Marušić; costume design assistant Marija Žižić-Gušo. The hats were crafted by Ankica Matijaš, and the hats and turbans by Tihana Cizelj. Concertmaster: Valter Lovričević. Repetiteurs: Stipe Iličić and Jelena Pavić.
After the premiere on 22 November, additional performances of Nikola Šubić Zrinjski are scheduled for 24 and 26 November, and for 8, 10, and 16 January.