In folk tradition, the heroism of Mila from the Gojsalić family has been preserved, a beautiful and proud girl from Poljica, a martyr and national heroine, the “Croatian Joan of Arc,” who sacrificed her own life to avert the danger of foreign occupation of her native Poljica region, a significant theme in Croatian literature, music, and art. Jakov Gotovac, set to the verses of Danko Anđelinović, composed a historical musical drama, his largest opera in terms of scale, full of noble pathos and almost oratorio-like serenity.
Although young female characters also appear in other Croatian heroic operas, only Mila is an active heroine and the only female character whose aim is the protection of her homeland. Gotovac began work on the historical musical drama titled Mila Gojsalića in 1948, following his operas Morana, Ero s onoga svijeta, and Kamenik. He completed the score, set to the libretto by Danko Anđelinović, in 1951, and the work premiered on May 18, 1952, under the composer’s direction on the stage of the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb.
The element of folk legend strongly influenced the characterisation of the opera’s characters: brave and honest protagonists, led by young Mila, are opposed to the violent Ottomans, led by Topan Pasha. Some critics note that Gotovac and Anđelinović essentially chose a biblical theme, as the legend of Mila mirrors Marulić’s Judita, making Mila an archetype of the martyr who dies for her faith. Although she sacrifices herself for the good of the homeland, the titular heroine is not politically motivated; her actions are based on her own integrity and emphasise the importance of personal morality – most clearly in the first act, when young Mila voluntarily chooses to face the notorious Topan Pasha rather than flee with her beloved fiancé. Gotovac conveys her determination through music that is deliberately softer to draw the audience’s attention to the heroine. Oda zemlji (Ode to the Land), Mila’s most popular aria, effectively conveys her love for her homeland, her willingness to sacrifice, and her unwavering faith.