Orchestra of the Opera of the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb

Although its history dates back to 1850, the establishment of the permanent theatre orchestra is closely associated with 1863, when the theatre's director at the time, Josip Freudenreich, introduced operetta into the repertoire. With the arrival of Ivan pl. Zajc and the founding of the Opera in 1870, a permanent opera orchestra was established. Zajc expanded the ensemble by engaging teachers from the music school of the Croatian Music Institute, increasing its membership to 24 musicians. Alongside regular opera and operetta performances, since 1871 the Orchestra of the Croatian National Theatre has also presented symphonic concerts featuring works by Croatian and international composers.

Following the First World War, the orchestra grew to 51 musicians. Through successive generations it has continued to expand and today comprises 77 permanent members, all of whom are academically trained musicians.

In addition to performing in numerous opera and ballet productions at the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb, many orchestra members also appear outside the Theatre with chamber ensembles and the Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra.

Many distinguished musicians have performed with the Orchestra of the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb, including Milan Sachs, Krešimir Baranović, Ferdinand Rojc, Dragutin Arany, Milan Graf (co-founder of the Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra), among many others.

The Orchestra of the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb has been conducted by numerous internationally renowned conductors, including Richard Strauss, Lovro von Matačić, Boris Papandopulo, Oskar Danon, Samo Hubad, Lamberto Gardelli, Milan Horvat, Nikša Bareza, Vjekoslav Šutej, Igor Kuljerić, Vladimir Kranjčević, Miro Belamarić, Pavle Dešpalj and many others.

Concertmasters:
Mojca Ramušćak
Zvonimir Krpan
Ivan Jakšeković, Associate Concertmaster

First Violins:
Dario Pavlaković
Gordana Štrk
Ida Cavaliere
Martina Drakulić
Lujza Vukičević
Barbara Polšek Sokolović
Ivo Martinović
Božena Barišić

Second Violins:
Viktorija Gubo, Principal
Letizia Ulika Roce, Principal Second Violin
Eva Bokun, Assistant Principal
Nina Šincek
Gordana Šoštarić
Minja Vujović
Luka Kojundžić
Dalia Cossetto
Lana Plančić

Violas:
Danko Burić, Principal
Natalia Anikeeva, Principal
Marta Bergovec Mirosavljević, Assistant Principal
Verica Peršin
Ana Marija Šir
Parvaz Salimov
Filip Vitko
Tomislav Huhn

Cellos:
Adam Chelfi, Principal
Tonka Javorović, Principal
Lidija Suchanek Plantarić, Assistant Principal
Augustin Mršić
Petra Kušan
Romana Rucner
Josip Boštjančić

Double Basses:
Žorž Draušnik, Principal
Jurica Štelma, Principal
Ivan Gazibara, Assistant Principal
Jerko Bedić
Mihael Ros
Vinko Vujec

Harps:
Hana Paraušić
Milica Pašić

Flutes:
Ana Benić Šalinović, Principal Flute
Marta Šomođi Homan, Principal Flute
Marijana Jarža, Second Flute, Second Piccolo
Marijana Bačelić, Third Flute, Principal Piccolo

Oboes:
Jelena Ilčić, Principal Oboe
Iva Ledenko, Principal Oboe
Sanae Mizukami, Second Oboe

Clarinets:
Bogdan Bikicki, Principal Clarinet
Bruno Philipp, Principal Clarinet
Zvonimir Margetić, Second Clarinet
Danijel Martinović, Third Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, E-flat Clarinet

Bassoons:
Istvan Matay, Principal Bassoon
Ivana Vešović Onyenweuzo, Principal Bassoon
Vladimira Horvat Čolić, Second Bassoon

French Horns:
Ksenija Reljić, Principal Horn
Antonio Pirrotta, Principal Horn
Vinko Rožić, Second Horn
Srđan Peić, Third Horn
Mirela Janić, Third Horn
Marko Novak, Fourth Horn

Trumpets:
Luka Buljan, Principal Trumpet
Daniel Majbaum, Principal Trumpet
Tomislav Paver, Second Trumpet
Ivan Perković, Second Trumpet
Renko Donđivić, Third Trumpet

Trombones:
Alan Bošnjak, Principal Trombone
Ivan Bošnjak, Principal Trombone
Hrvoje Sironić, Second Trombone
Bruno Petak, Third Trombone, Bass Trombone

Tuba:
Željko Kertez

Timpani:
Marko Mihajlović
Mario Čavlek

Percussion:
Davor Marinac, Principal
Suzana Komazin
Stanislav Muškinja