Zagreb, 27.08.2025 (BTA)
The Croatian national opera theater in Zagreb (HNK) will tour Sofia for the first time on the 5th of September and will present the opera “Lennon” by Ivo Josipović: composer and former Croatian president, and librettist Marina Biti. This was stated by the HINA agency, citing a Croatian national theater press release.
According to the theater, this tour marks a new chapter of the international cooperation between the Croatian national theater in Zagreb and the Sofia Opera and Ballet. This visit also helps internationally popularize contemporary Croatian opera: it is a form of cultural exchange and a testament to the excellent Croatian opera production.
“Such visits give us the opportunity to build stronger cultural connections between European institutions”, Iva Hraste Soćo, general manager of the Croatian national theater in Zagreb underlined, adding that the theater is enjoying the opportunity to present a Croatian opera to the Sofia audience for the first time.
The premiere of the opera “Lennon” took place on the 22nd of April, 2023, at the Croatian national theater. Inspired by John Lennon’s life and legacy, one of the most influential artists of the 20th century, the production is directed by Marina Pejnović, with conductor maestro Ivan Josip Skender.
Starring: Domagoj Dorotić as John Lennon, Marija Kuhar Sosa as Yoko Ono, Ozren Bilusić as Mark Chapman and Dubravka Separović Musović as Mei Fung Yi Pang.
The Croatian national theater will return the gesture as a host on the 15th of September: then, the Sofia Opera and Ballet will present “Die Walküre” by Richard Wagner at the Zagreb opera festival, Hraste Soćo announced.
The Zagreb opera festival will take place from the 9th to the 20th of September at the Croatian national theater.
(The above information is distributed by BTA, under an agreement with the HINA Croatian agency)