On the 5th of September, the Croatian National theater (Zagreb) will tour on the Sofia Opera stage with the opera “Lennon” by Ivo Josipovic.
Before rising to world fame as a talented musician and composer, Josipovic graduated from the Zagreb Faculty of Law and began working as a judge.
He later graduated from the Zagreb Music academy with a major in piano and from the Music academy in Graz, Austria, where he studied composing. His work encompasses a broad specter of genres.
Ivo Josipovic leaves a significant mark on the musical world with his talent and contribution to Croatian music. His compositions are performed all over the world and his work is acknowledged and awarded at many music festivals and contests.
Ivo Josipovic was president of Croatia from the 19th of February, 2010 until the 18th of February, 2015. During his term, the country joined the European Union. He first visited Bulgaria during the 80s when he was invited by the Bulgarian composers Union and again later, after he became president. He likes Pancho Vladigerov’s work and Bulgarian folklore exceptionally much. Currently, he teaches at the university he graduated from. He is a professor emeritus in criminal action and international criminal law and is the author of 85 publications in Croatian and foreign editions.
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The opera “Lennon” is one of Ivo Josipovic’s most famous works which he planned to write for more than a decade. The story tells of the life and musical heritage of John Lennon: the legendary musician. As a jurist, the composer was interested in how a devoted fan turned into the murderer of the very man he once revered. He looked for the right libretto for many years. Work on the opera was put on hold when Josipovic was inaugurated as president of Croatia. After his term ended, Marina Biti: a professor from Rieka, asked him: “Do you still have plans for that opera? I’ve got a libretto for you.” This marked the beginning of the work’s creation.
The opera “Lennon” was performed for the first time in 2023: it is an exceptionally inspiring interpretation of John Lennon’s life and his influence over the world.
Ten days after this visit, the Sofia Opera will perform “Die Walküre” by Richard Wagner in Zagreb. Production by Plamen Kartaloff; conductor: Evan-Alexis Christ.