Lisinski Page #3

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- Only you, Lisinski, no one else.

To the first Croatian

opera, then! - Cheers!

Lisinski was happiest

when he was able to take a walk

through the marvelous nature

with his fiancee Hedviga.

During those times,

his gentle soul felt rejuvenated.

The inspiration he found

in nature was to bear rich fruit

in the form of his artistic creation.

Working tirelessly, days and nights,

Lisinski was finishing his first opera.

The whole of progressive Zagreb

supported him in his work.

Everyone was preparing to stage

the first Croatian opera, "Love & Malice".

At the time, there were no Croatian opera

artists, but there was the patriotic youth,

working with great enthusiasm.

The theater on St. Mark's square

would soon see its most festive day:

The premiere of the first Croatian opera.

Madame countess will

look marvelous on stage,

and in the company of such

a fine gentleman as Mr. Striga.

Jelica, Jelica, come to your senses.

Hurry up, the rehearsal begins at

Yes, of course.

A sad day in Croatian history.

On the 29th of July, 1845.

The blood of Croatian youth was

spilled on St. Mark's square.

Their sacrifice was not in vain.

The national spirit could not be

suppressed even by brutal force.

Shortly thereafter, that

spirit was to rise again.

The glorious day had come,

when the first Croatian opera

was to be shown in the theater

on St. Mark's square in Zagreb.

Perhaps countess Rubido will be offended

because we did not attend

that famous premiere of theirs,

but as the president of the Musical Institute,

I cannot afford to support dilettantism.

I am surprised to see the countess

engage in such a frivolous undertaking.

Just to think how much money

and effort were put into that circus,

it makes one hot with rage.

But, dear Illustrissimus,

the props and fancy costumes

are the only things

of any value at that event.

No matter, dear friend,

that fiasco calls for

a celebration. Let's drink.

Cheers!

Listen Jurek, you are

such a fine young man,

how come you are not performing today?

Oho, I could have performed,

but I can't sing.

It is my only problem.

Eh, you have some other

problems, too. Butjokes aside.

That thing today, it might

end up being something,

because all our young

gentlemen are performing.

Mischievous guys and ladies.

But, would you please explain

to me what an opera really is?

It is like this, Franc:

The music is playing,

finely dressed people walk

back and forth through the house,

waving their arms,

kneeling before the ladies

and just keep on singing.

That is called an opera.

Listen to them applauding.

Truly, my little Heda, everything was

wonderful. The countess, and Striga.

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