Prolonged Applause and Audience Ovations Follow the Premiere of 'Tannhäuser'Opera — 16. May 2026.
On 15 May, the stage of the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb hosted the premiere of Richard Wagner’s Tannhäuser, one of the key and most demanding works of nineteenth-century opera literature, presented in co-production with the Slovenian National Theatre Maribor.
The long-awaited return of this monumental title to the Zagreb opera stage, after almost a century, was marked by powerful emotions, audience ovations and prolonged applause, confirming the production’s exceptional artistic success. The production was directed by Belgian stage director Frank Van Laecke, an artist with an extensive international career, renowned for his distinctive fusion of classical form and contemporary operatic aesthetics.
His interpretation of Tannhäuser offered audiences a powerful and multilayered reading of the title character — an artist torn between his ideals, inner doubts and the pressures of the world surrounding him — a figure that may also be understood as a reflection of Wagner himself. The premiere performance was conducted by maestro Srba Dinić, who led the Orchestra, Chorus and soloists through Wagner’s monumental score with remarkable precision and intensity.
The performance history of Tannhäuser in Zagreb bears witness both to its enduring artistic value and to the rarity of its staging. The opera was first performed at the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb on 5 June 1895, followed by a production in 1912, while the last staging was mounted in 1930, directed by Tito Strozzi. For this very reason, its return to the repertoire represents an important cultural event and a significant moment for the Croatian opera scene.
General Manager Dr Iva Hraste Sočo emphasised that this co-production confirms the theatre’s strategic orientation towards stronger collaboration with European partners and the realisation of artistically ambitious projects that transcend the production capacities of a single opera house. Opera Director Željka Barišić Pulig expressed pride in the ensemble, which responded with great dedication and artistic maturity to the challenges of one of the most demanding works in the operatic repertoire, once again confirming the strength and excellence of the Zagreb Opera.
On the opening night, the title role of Tannhäuser was powerfully portrayed by Eric Laporte, while Elisabeth was performed by the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb’s special guest artist of the season, Evelin Novak. Sofija Petrović delivered a compelling interpretation of Venus, and the role of Wolfram was sung by leading Opera soloist Ljubomir Puškarić.
The remaining roles were performed by distinguished soloists of the Zagreb Opera and guest artists, supported by the inspired contribution of the Chorus and Orchestra of the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb. The audience rewarded the performance with prolonged applause and repeated standing ovations, confirming the exceptional success of the premiere evening and the profound impression this production left on the Zagreb audience.
