The unique atmosphere of a Lošinj summer night, filled with the scent of pine trees and the sea, became the backdrop for an extraordinary musical event the day before yesterday. In the very heart of the city, on the piazza of the Parish Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the spectacular "Opera under the Lošinj Starry Sky" was held for the first time, the central event of the nineteenth edition of the esteemed Josip Kašman Days Festival. This musical spectacle, held on July 14, 2025, gathered over a thousand lovers of classical music and operatic art, creating a memorable evening in the city that proudly celebrates its greatest artistic son. The venue, Mali Lošinj, once again confirmed its status as a cultural center of the Adriatic, and visitors, along with the music, could also enjoy the rich offerings of the city, including superb accommodation.

A Celebration in Honor of Music Greats

The date of the concert was not chosen by chance. It was on this very day, exactly 175 years ago, that Josip Kašman, the legendary baritone whose name still resonates in opera houses around the world, was born in Mali Lošinj. At the same time, this year also marks the 100th anniversary of his death in Rome, giving this concert a dual commemorative significance. The evening began with an elegant homage to another musical giant – the king of waltz, Johann Strauss the Younger, whose 200th birth anniversary is being celebrated worldwide, including in Lošinj. After an overture dedicated to Strauss's unforgettable melodies, a rich and carefully selected program followed, guiding the audience through the most beautiful pages of opera literature. Arias, duets, trios, and quartets were performed from the masterpieces of composers such as Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Richard Wagner, Vincenzo Bellini, Charles Gounod, Léo Delibes, and Francesco Cilea. However, special emphasis was placed on the music of Giuseppe Verdi, a composer whose works Kašman interpreted in an inimitable way, becoming his undisputed interpreter. The highlight of that part of the evening was the moving Intermezzo from Giacomo Puccini's opera "Manon Lescaut," which brought a moment of pure musical contemplation.

Opera Stars Under the Lošinj Sky

The concept of "Opera under the Lošinj Starry Sky" was designed to bring the character and work of Kašman himself to life through music. The role of the central figure, embodying the spirit of the Lošinj maestro, was taken on by the extraordinary baritone Leon Košavić. With his powerful vocal interpretation and stage presence, Košavić faithfully conveyed the artistic strength for which Kašman was known. He was joined on stage by top female artists: the multi-award-winning soprano with a magnificent voice, Darija Auguštan, and the talented mezzo-soprano Sofija Petrović, whose performances brought emotional depth and lyricism. They were accompanied by the esteemed tenor Martin Sušnik, completing the star quartet of soloists. The musical backdrop for this magical evening was the powerful sound of the Croatian Radiotelevision Symphony Orchestra, which, under the steady and inspired baton of Maestro Darijan Ivezić, provided flawless accompaniment to the soloists and brought the fullness of orchestral sound to the historic square. It was a truly artistic experience that combines top performers and the beautiful ambiance of the island of vitality, and many visitors who came from other parts of Croatia and the world took the opportunity for a longer stay, finding ideal accommodation in Mali Lošinj.

Josip Kašman: The Prince of Baritones Who Conquered the World

The life and artistic journey of Josip Kašman is one of the most fascinating stories in Croatian music history. He began his career as a key pillar of the first permanent Croatian opera in Zagreb, founded by Ivan pl. Zajc. After an impressive 270 performances on the domestic stage, his unstoppable ambition and talent led him to Italy, then the center of the opera world. This step marked the beginning of a sensational international career. His success was swift and unquestionable. He sang at the grand opening of one of the most prestigious opera houses in the world, the Metropolitan Opera in New York, in 1883. At Milan's La Scala, the temple of opera, he earned the flattering nickname 'il principe dei baritoni' – the prince of baritones. His voice resonated on the greatest stages from Chicago and Buenos Aires to Madrid, Lisbon, Warsaw, Barcelona, Monte Carlo, and Cairo. The biggest opera festivals and most prestigious opera houses constantly sought him out. His versatility was also evident in the fact that he sang in as many as seven languages, and thanks to his incredible range, authentic vocal color, and unlimited vocal capabilities, he elicited delight wherever he performed. His performances of Verdi's and Wagner's characters were also recorded on early gramophone records, testifying to the greatness of his talent. He stood out for his refined taste, exceptional artistic sensibility, and superb musicality. His interpretative power was based on a unique combination of Italian bel canto with a modern, psychological approach to characters, striving to understand their personalities and historical context. Despite his worldwide fame, he never forgot his native region. From 1907 onwards, he gave concerts every summer in his beloved Mali Lošinj. As a token of gratitude and respect, the people of Lošinj wrote a song in memory of his return to his homeland, and the memory of him is still a key part of the island's cultural identity, as confirmed by this festival, which year after year attracts an increasing number of visitors to the beautiful Mali Lošinj.

A Festival as the Pride of the City and the Island

The nineteenth edition of the Josip Kašman Days once again showed how important it is to cherish the memory of the greats who have indebted Croatian and world culture. On behalf of the organizers, the Mali Lošinj Open University and the companies CristoforiumArt and Uo Cristoforium, the director of POU Mali Lošinj, Martina Lipovac, warmly greeted those present at the beginning of the evening. After her, Danijel Gašparović, the artistic and executive director of the festival, took the floor, explaining the concept and program to the audience. The honor of officially opening the festival went to the Mayor of the City of Mali Lošinj, Ana Kučić, who in her speech expressed gratitude to the organizers and artists for creating another unforgettable cultural evening. She emphasized the importance of the festival for cultural tourism and the city's identity. The entire event was held with the indispensable support of the City of Mali Lošinj, the Tourist Board of the City of Mali Lošinj, and the hotel company Losinj Hotels & Villas, whose synergy enables high-profile projects like this to be successfully realized year after year.