News / Objavljeno: 8/15/2024 The 70th Split Summer Festival has been officially closed At the Meštrović Gallery yesterday, on August 14th, the jubilee 70th Split Summer Festival was closed with the Opera Gala concert conducted by maestro Ivo Lipanović. The Opera Gala concert, performed by the soloists, Orchestra, and Choir of the Croatian National Theatre in Split under the baton of maestro Ivo Lipanović, officially closed the jubilee 70th edition of the Split Summer Festival. On the atmospheric stage at the Meštrović Gallery, renowned soloists performed some of the most beautiful opera pieces: sopranos Kristina Kolar, Antonija Teskera, and Ana Malovan; tenors Domagoj Dorotić and Roko Radovan; and basses Ivica Čikeš and Luciano Batinić. Before the concert, the "Judita" awards, presented by the festival's main media sponsor, the daily newspaper *Slobodna Dalmacija*, were also awarded for the greatest artistic achievements in the music and drama program. The "Judita" award for the best artistic achievement in the music program was given to bass-baritone Marko Mimica and Cuban pianist Marcos Madrigal for their recital on August 10th at the Museum of Fine Arts. The award for the best achievement in the drama program went to the ensemble of the play The Law of Zagora, directed by Ivan Leo Lemo. The program, which justified the jubilee edition in terms of scope, artistic and production engagement of all involved, and ultimately in terms of results, brought the audience four premiere titles: two dramas (Judith and Stories from the Ferry), one opera (the scenic cantata Carmina Burana), and one ballet (Madame Bovary). Fifty performances were held during the month-long festival. Opera, ballet, drama, concert performances, exhibitions, and other events of this year's Split Summer Festival took place at 16 different locations in and around Split. The performances at the 70th Split Summer Festival were attended by over 9,767 spectators (based on ticket sales). The revenue from ticket sales amounted to 198,924 euros, which is 22% better than last year's record-breaking year. All this speaks to the strong interest of the audience in the programs of the jubilee edition of the festival. The opera program was entirely sold out – with four performances of Carmina Burana, two of Aida, and three of Ero the Joker. Fifteen concerts were also held, ranging from those attended by hundreds of spectators to smaller, more intimate performances. The ballet performances, the premiere of Madame Bovary and the exceptionally popular The Great Gatsby, also filled the venues. In the drama program, the audience could enjoy titles such as Stories from the Ferry, Judith, The Law of Zagora, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Komik Motion, as well as the always popular productions of the Split National Theatre, Tears and Laughter of the Old Split, The Beret and Records from Hard Times.