For the first time, the Croatian capital is staging the Opera Europe Festival, the most prestigious annual gathering for those in the industry. From today, March 18, more than 70 directors, producers and professionals in the international field will be meeting over six days at the ornate Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb.
All are members of the world’s largest association of opera houses and festivals, Opera Europa, and will be sharing their ideas at two joint sessions, an Opera Management Course and the Artistic Administration and Producing Forum, running until March 23.
“The Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb continues to be an active partner of numerous European projects and initiatives,” said the theatre director of the HNK in Zagreb, Iva Hraste Sočo. “We are proud that the workof our theatre is recognised by colleagues from all over the world.”
Topics for discussion include programming and planning, financial management, human and administrative issues, marketing and communications, and management of creative and business processes.
The Croatian National Theatre grew out Zagreb’s first playhouse set up 190 years ago, in 1834. Created by famed Viennese architects Ferdinand Fellmer and Herman Helmer, this elegant landmark was built in 1895, its opening taking place in the presence of Habsburg Emperor Franz Joseph.