IVAN ZAJC (1832-1914): Nikola Šubić Zrinjski.

Description: This tragic drama from 1876 ranks ahead of Jakov Gotovac’s Ero the Joker (see last month - 07W047) as the most prestigious and historically most important Croatian opera of all time. The story is based on the historic Battle of Szigeth of 1566. Zajc’s style is basically that of Italian Romantic opera, especially early Verdi but here two factors have contributed to the reception of Nikola Šubic Zrinski as a historical, heroic, and national opera: the subject matter of the libretto and its rich supply of choral numbers – of its total of thirty-two numbers, a third are assigned to the chorus. 2 CDs. Croatian-English libretto. Robert Kolar (baritone), Kristina Kolar (mezzo), Anamarija Knego (soprano), Aljaž Farasin (tenor), Rijeka Opera Choir, Rijeka Symphony Orchestra; Ville Matvejeff.