Mila Gojsalića

Mila Gojsalića

The legend of the Poljica girl Mila Gojsalić from Kostanje lives in the oral tradition of the Poljica region. According to the legend, during one attack by the Turkish army on Poljica (probably in 1530), she decided to go to the enemy camp, seduce the Turkish pasha, ignite the gunpowder storage, and thus kill the Turkish army, the pasha, and herself. Poems about her were written by August Šenoa, Drago Ivanišević, Niko Anrijević, Juraj Kapić, Juraj Marušić, Ivan Tadin, and she was also the subject of paintings by Mirko Rački and Ante Starčević.
Although the figure of a young girl appears in other Croatian heroic operas, Mila is the only active heroine and the only female character whose goal is to protect her homeland.

 After operas such as "Morana," "Ero the Joker," and "Kamenika," Jakov Gotovac began work on the historical musical drama titled "Mila Gojsalića" in 1948. He completed the score with a libretto by Danko Anđelinović in 1951, and the work premiered on May 18, 1952, under the composer's direction at the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb.
The element of the folk legend strongly influenced the characterization of the opera's characters: brave and honest protagonists led by the young Mila are opposed to the violent Ottomans led by Topan-paša. Some critics note that Gotovac and Anđelinović chose a biblical theme because the legend of Mila reflects Marulić's "Judith," making Mila an archetype of a martyr who dies for her faith. Although she sacrifices herself for the good of her homeland, the titular heroine is not politically motivated; her actions are based on personal integrity, emphasizing the importance of personal morality. This is most evident in the first part when young Mila willingly chooses to go to the infamous Topan-pasha instead of escaping with her beloved fiancé. Gotovac conveys her determination through intentionally softer music, encouraging the audience to pay attention to the heroine. "Oda zemlji" (Ode to the Land), Mila's most famous aria, successfully expresses her love for her homeland, readiness for sacrifice, and faith.

Conductor

Josip Šego

Director

Ozren Prohić

Set Design

Vesna Režić

Costume Design

Tea Bašić

Choreography and Stage Movement

Maja Huber

Light Design

Vesna Kolarec

Sound Design Željko Mravak
Choirmaster Veton Marevci
Video Design and Set Design Assistant Nikolina Kuzmić

Concertmaster

Valter Lovričević

Accompanists

Ana Šabašov, Stipe Iličić

Stage Manager

Mark Anton Gančević

Prompter

Irina Padovan

Choreography renewal Snježana Radica, Lev Šapošnjikov
Fiddler Filip Radoš
Mila Gojsalića Martina Mikelić
Ivan Gojsalić Ivica Šarić
Petar Kulišić Domagoj Dorotić
Jure Kulišić Marko Lasić
Kolumbat Mate Akrap
Herald of Poljica Goran Velić
Mehmed Topan-pasha Božo Župić
Sejid-beg Vlatko Belas
Izuran Alija-bej Lovre Gujinović
Bimbaša Joško Tranfić
Mujezin Vinko Maroević
Turkish Soldier Lovre Gujinović
I, II, III and IV Turkish Soldier Vinko Maroević, Matija Škiljo, Matej Akrap, Borna Matijević
Mujo, pasha's servant Denis Tomić
Husein, pasha's servant Darijo Tvrdić

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