The 69th edition of the Split Summer Festival, has commenced with a grand opening ceremony at the historical Peristyle square. The event was inaugurated by the Mayor of Split, Ivica Puljak, who, accompanied by fanfares, raised the festival flag, marking the start of the festival. The opening night featured the premiere of Giacomo Puccini's opera "Tosca" performed by the Opera of the Croatian National Theatre in Split, under the baton of maestro Ivo Lipanović and directed by Goran Golovko.
"Standing here on the monumental stage of the ancient Peristyle, I am honored and delighted to welcome you all to our greatest cultural event. Split is a city of culture and multiculturalism, and ensuring that both dimensions thrive in harmony is the task and challenge of every city with a protected cultural heritage," stated Mayor Puljak. He also extended his wishes to Vicko Bilandžić, the new intendant of the Croatian National Theatre in Split, and Vinko Bilandžić's team, hoping that the excitement surrounding the festival would be transformed into artistic energy and outstanding performances.
Among the numerous distinguished guests in attendance, the festival was honored by the presence of Orsat Miljanić, representing the high patron of the festival, the President of the Republic of Croatia, as well as Andro Krstulović Opara, the representative of the President of the Croatian Parliament, and Nina Obuljen Koržinek, the Minister of Culture and Media, acting as the representative of the Prime Minister of Croatia.
This year's festival, with its rich tradition, will offer 46 opera, drama, dance, and concert performances, along with art exhibitions and literary programs, transforming Split into an art-filled city. Spanning until August 14, the festival's artistic programs will take place at 14 locations across the city, including the historic Peristyle, Meštrović's Kaštilac, Sustipan, Meštrović Gallery, the former Plinara building, Villa Dalmacija, and others, culminating in the new stage space at the Bene bay in Marjan. During these 32 festival days, theatre artists, musicians, singers, actors, dancers, visual artists, and writers will turn Split into an open-air stage, presenting their art to the citizens and visitors of the city. Additionally, the festival will extend to the open-air stages in Vrlika and Šolta, and it will also have guest performances at the Dubrovnik Summer Festival.
The grand opening ceremony was followed by the premiere performance of Giacomo Puccini's opera "Tosca," a canonical work of opera literature, produced by the Croatian National Theatre in Split. The masterpiece was conducted by maestro Lipanović, directed by Goran Golovko, and starred the leading figures of the Croatian opera scene, including Kristina Kolar in the titular role, Domagoj Dorotić as Cavaradossi, Luciano Batinić as Scarpia, along with other soloists, the choir, orchestra, and members of the Split National Theatre Ballet, accompanied by the Children's Choir of the Josip Hatze Music School in Split. The ancient Peristyle, serving as a unique opera stage, witnessed yet another grand performance in its seven-decade history.