ETC members - Information

Hrvatsko Narodno Kazalište Ivana pl. Zajca Rijeka

Address: Uljarska 1,
City: Rijeka
Postal code: 51000
Country: Croatia
Phone: +385.51.355900
Fax: +385.51.212600
Email: zajc@hnk-zajc.hr
Website: www.hnk-zajc.hr

Hrvatsko Narodno Kazalište Ivana pl. Zajca Rijeka

The Croatian National Theatre Ivan pl. Zajc is one of five national theatres in the Republic of Croatia and unique example of contemporary national theatres in Europe that except its own national (Croatian Drama), includes Italian Drama performing in Italian, Opera, Symphony Orchestra and Ballet. It is located in Rijeka, the biggest Croatian port, a city on the northern coast of the Adriatic Sea, the third biggest Croatian city, only 60 km away from the Italian border. Today Rijeka is an important economic, tourist and cultural centre of Croatia. The Croatian National Theatre Ivan pl. Zajc is since season 2006/07 led by a new general director Mrs. Nada Matoševi?. The Croatian National Theatre Ivan pl. Zajc is distinguished by its quality and originality with tendencies to follow contemporary world trends, trying to find new courses and ideas. The Theatre has a international festival Summer Nights in Rijeka in June and July. The festival includes drama, dance, opera and concerts that take place on different city locations, including the attractive specific ambients of Rijeka. HISTORY OF CROATIAN NATIONAL THEATRE IVAN PL. ZAJC RIJEKA Today's Croatian National Theatre Ivan pl. Zajc was formally opened on the 3rd of October 1885, under the name Teatro comunale. Fellner and Helmer were the architect engineers who had been building theatres in all the major centers throughout Europe. Until 1945 the theatre in Rijeka functioned as a so called "teatro stagione", and was chiefly known for its opera performances. Giacomo Puccini, Pietro Mascagni, Enrico Caruso, Medea Borelli and Beniamino Gigli were visiting performers of the theater in Rijeka, and in 1899 Sarah Bernhardt starred here with her large troupe, enacting The Lady of the Camellias by A. Dumas. Since 1946 the Theater has established its own ensembles. Today's theatre got its name after Ivan pl. Zajc - the greatest Croatian composer, who lived and conducted in Rijeka. CROATIAN DRAMA The Croatian Drama (director Galiano Pahor, dramaturg Magdalena Lupi) carefully chooses its repertoire and performs on two different scenes: the big scene of HNK Ivan Pl. Zajc and the so-called Zajc-Off Scene that includes chamber scene performed on different alternative city locations. On the big scene classical plays are performed, as well as 20th century classics, seen in a contemporary way (Dostoyevsky's Crime and Punishment, De Filippos Filumena Marturano, Shakespeare's Hamlet, Lorca's Blood Wedding). Zajc-off repertoire offers Croatian first nights of actual European dramaturgies (Manfridi Zozos) and first nights of Croatian new writings (Šovagovi?`s Jazz and Delbianco's The Damned don't go to Bali). ITALIAN DRAMA Besides staging world classic playwrights, mostly of course Italians, (Ruzzante, Machiavelli, Goldoni, Pirandello), the Italian Drama put on scene many contemporary Italian and world authors. In this season the Italian Drama (director Laura Marchig) prepares three new performances. The Italian Drama often engages Italian directors and guest actors and realizes co-productions with Italian theatres. Every season tours are organized across those parts of Croatia and Slovenia where Italian minority lives, as well as guest performances in Italy. OPERA In theatre's Opera repertoire (director Ozren Prohi?) there is a lot of Italian belcanto and many operas of famous Italian composers: Rossini Il Turco in Italia, Il signor Bruschino, Puccini Gianni Schichi, Mascagni Cavalleria rusticana, Donizetti L'elisir d'amore, Verdi Nabucco, Un ballo di maschera, Rigoletto... ). Opera brings to Rijeka`s scene famous conductors, directors and opera singers well-known in Croatia and abroad. CONCERT Opera also has its concert events that present its Opera and Symphonic Orchestra. There are averagely 8 concerts per season with well-known international conductors, musicians and singers as guests. BALLET The Ballet of the Croatian National Theatre Ivan pl. Zajc, under the artistic leadership of choreographer Staša Zurovac, is an international ensemble. Speaking in terms of production, the Ballet is occupied with contemporary dance author's projects distinguished by its quality and originality with tendencies to follow contemporary world trends, trying to find new courses and ideas. Besides taking part in Drama and Opera projects, the Ballet has two premieres in every season. FACTS & FIGURES - Financed 80 % by The City of Rijeka, 6 % by Ministry of culture of Republic of Croatia and 14 % by own resource. - Staff: 280 permanent employees