The beginning of summer in the heart of Zagreb will once again be marked by the sounds of classical music filling one of the city's most representative spaces. The Zagreb Classic festival, which over the years has become synonymous with a superb musical overture to the warmest season of the year, is preparing a rich and diverse open-air program again this year. From June 19th to July 2nd, King Tomislav Square will transform into a spectacular open-air stage, inviting all residents of Zagreb and their guests to surrender to the magic of music in a unique ambiance.

This open-air festival, launched back in 2016, has gained a cult status not only among the audience eager for cultural events but also among the artists themselves. The combination of an impeccable repertoire, performances by world-renowned musicians, and a relaxed, almost picnic-like atmosphere has proven to be a winning formula. Instead of tickets, visitors only need good will, a love for musical art, and perhaps a blanket for a more comfortable seating on the spacious lawns of the square. It is this informality and immediacy that make Zagreb Classic one of the favorite summer events in the metropolis, and accommodation nearby allows you to be at the very center of the events.

Grand Opening with Italian Masters

This year's edition of the festival will open in a truly grandiose manner – with a program titled "An Evening with Francesco Meli". It is a musical treat that will take the audience through some of the most beautiful arias by Italian opera greats such as Gaetano Donizetti, Giacomo Puccini, and Ruggiero Leoncavallo. The atmosphere will be further enriched by performances of popular songs from Italy, Mexico, and Eastern Europe, creating a vibrant and emotional musical mosaic. A special moment of the evening will be the performance of a piece that the legendary Nino Rota composed for the cult Fellini film "Amarcord". The highlight of the concert is reserved for the universally known drinking song "Libiamo ne' lieti calici" from Verdi's opera "La traviata", which is sure to get the whole square singing.

On stage, alongside the Zagreb Philharmonic, an orchestra with an impressive tradition of over 150 years, the renowned Italian opera tenor Francesco Meli will shine. His powerful voice has resonated in the world's most prestigious opera houses for decades, and in Zagreb, he will be joined by brilliant guests: soprano Serena Gamberoni, mezzo-soprano Floriana Cicio, and baritone Nicola Zambon. The entire spectacle will be conducted by maestro Carlo Bernini, guaranteeing a night to remember.

Diversity of the Program for All Generations

Zagreb Classic is proud of its programmatic breadth, which goes beyond the strict confines of classical music, offering content for the most diverse tastes and ages. In cooperation with the Vienna Music Film Festival, the successful practice of showing recordings of recent opera and operetta productions from world stages on a big screen continues. This year, the audience will be able to enjoy as many as three such evenings. On the repertoire is the passionate and dramatic opera "Carmen" by Georges Bizet, then "Cervantes", a work by Johann Strauss Jr., and the absolute classic of animation and music – "Fantasia" by Walt Disney. This latter title represents a true masterpiece that uniquely combines timeless classical music with fascinating animation, equally attracting both the youngest audience and adult art lovers.

One of the evenings will be dedicated to the sounds of the Mediterranean. The concert "The Glow of the Mediterranean" will be performed by the Symphony Orchestra and Choir of the Croatian Radiotelevision. The soloists will be the talented violinist Sara Domjanić, tenor Tomislav Jukić, and bass-baritone Benjamin Šuran, while the orchestra will be conducted by Gergely Duboczky. It will be an opportunity for a musical journey along the Mediterranean coasts, filled with sun and passion.

Jazz lovers will also get their share. The Croatian Radiotelevision Jazz Orchestra, known for its innovative and energetic performances, is preparing a program for Zagreb Classic under the enigmatic title "Lost in the Stars", promising an evening filled with top-notch improvisations and jazz standards in new arrangements.

The Zagreb Philharmonic will be responsible for another exceptional musical evening titled "Growing Up with Music". This program is specially designed to bring music closer to younger generations. The first part of the concert features the symphonic fairy tale "Peter and the Wolf" by Sergei Prokofiev, a work that introduces children to the instruments of the symphony orchestra in a fun and educational way. In the second part of the evening, the program includes the youthful and spirited Symphony in C major by Georges Bizet, a work the composer wrote at only seventeen years of age.

The ensemble of the Zagreb City Theatre "Komedija" will also have its premiere on the unique stage of Zagreb Classic with the attractive "Broadway Dance Show". An evening full of rhythm, dance, and unforgettable melodies from the world's most famous musicals awaits us.

The festival will also host a true star of the classical scene – Julian Rachlin. This versatile artist, who has achieved success as a conductor, violinist, chamber musician, and pedagogue during his thirty-year international career, is preparing an exclusive evening with the Zagreb Philharmonic. The repertoire will feature works by Felix Mendelssohn, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, and Mikhail Glinka, which guarantees virtuoso performances and a deep artistic experience at King Tomislav Square, an ideal location for all visitors looking for comfortable accommodation in Zagreb.

A Magnificent Finale in Honor of the Croatian Kingdom

The closing of this year's Zagreb Classic festival will be marked by a historical and musical event of national significance – the premiere performance of the homage oratorio "Anno Domini 925 – King Tomislav". This monumental oratorio is dedicated to the great 1100th anniversary of the Croatian Kingdom, which Croatia is celebrating this very year, 2025. At the center of the work is the figure of the first Croatian king, Tomislav, which pays tribute to Croatian history and statehood in the most beautiful way possible.

The music and libretto for this unique project were written by the versatile pianist and composer Matej Meštrović. Alongside the orchestra and choir of the Opera of the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb, under the direction of the distinguished American conductor Jonathan Griffith, the author himself will perform on the piano. A special symbolism and additional beauty to this musical premiere is given by the very venue – the beautiful ambiance of the historic King Tomislav Square, a location that also offers numerous options for accommodation, thus creating a perfect link between music, history, and space. It will be, without a doubt, a magnificent and emotional finale to the festival that will long remain in the memory of the audience.