The Coronation of King Tomislav

“The orchestration is rich, with a prominent role given to individual solo instruments. As a whole, the result is a distinctive, accessible work of a specific musical style —a fine blend of classical music with musical crossover elements and pronounced emotionality—something the audience sensed and rewarded with ovations at the premiere. I am convinced that Ave Maria, as a stand-alone aria, will find its place in solo vocal literature as one of the most beautiful examples of its kind. A constant rhythmic pulsation, expressing the pulse of life, is characteristic of the score. The Coronation of King Tomislav is music of positive energy and serenity, qualities much needed in these restless times that increasingly overwhelm us,” concluded Davor Schopf in his review.

The composer is Darko Domitrović, with the libretto written by Miro Gavran. The arranger and conductor is Igor Tatarević, while the staging is by Robert Raponja. Alongside the Orchestra of the Croatian National Theatre (HNK) Split and the Choir of HNK Mostar, the soloists are Roko Radovan, Josipa Bilić, and Siniša Štork from the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb, with narrators Robert Pehar, Nikolina Marić, Ivo Krešić, and Mirela Kordić from the drama ensemble of HNK Mostar.