Arti musices, Vol. 56 No. 2, 2025.
Izvorni znanstveni članak
https://doi.org/10.21857/mzvkpt3k39
In the Shadow of Missed Opportunities: The International Opera Singers’ Competition in Pula 1976–1978
Lada Duraković
orcid.org/0000-0002-4472-3193
; Muzička akademija u Puli, Pula, Hrvatska
*
Martina Kurelić
; Muzička akademija u Puli, Pula, Hrvatska
* Dopisni autor.
Sažetak
In August 1976, an ambitiously designed opera season titled Opera and Ballet Days was held at the Pula Arena, organized by the Zagreb Concert Directorate and the Pula-based institution Istarska scena. During the preparations for this festival, the region of Friuli–Venezia Giulia was struck by an earthquake, causing the originally planned International Opera Singers’ Competition, which was to take place at Villa Manin in Passariano (Codroipo) near Udine, to be relocated to Pula. The competition was organized by the Center for Vivaldi Studies.
Given the success of the event, a continuation of the collaboration was arranged, with the competition set to alternate biennially between Pula and Passariano. The organization planned for the awarded soloists to be engaged in opera performances at the Arena. The financial costs of the competition were not significant, as the young singers were given an opportunity to perform with the orchestra, which was already in Pula for the opera productions. The jury, composed of notable figures from the opera world, attracted public attention. Among the members of the competition’s evaluation panel were distinguished opera personalities such as Mario del Monaco, Fedora Barbieri, Licia Albanese, and Giulietta Simionato. Pula gained international media attention, which certainly served as good promotion for tourism.
The successful event, featuring talented singers who would later build respectable careers, was held again in Pula in 1977. After that, it was discontinued. This article reflects on this now completely forgotten episode from Pula’s musical past.
Ključne riječi
Pula; opera; singers; competitions; awards
Hrčak ID:
343764
URI
Datum izdavanja:
23.1.2026.
Posjeta: 472 *