Lisinski

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The feature film Lisinski was

made in 1944 on a nytrat film.

In the Year 2008 with the help of

Croatian Audiovisual Center

Croatian Cinematheque preserved

this film making a substitute original

and restored it through photo chemical

procedure in the laboratory of Jadran film.

The film was digital restored

in the Year 2009 with the support

of the Ministry of culture

of the Republic of Croatia

in the Studio Vizije (picture)

And the Studio Oktava digital (sound).

HRVATSKI SLIKOPIS Presents:

A motion picture about the life of THE COMPOSER

OF THE FIRST CROATIAN OPERA

LISINSKI:

Writer:

Screenplay:

Director:

Production and editing:

Musical compositions by Vatroslav

Lisinski adapted by BORIS PAPANDOPULO

Photography:

Sound:

Props and costumes:

Set design:

Starring:

Also starring:

Participating:

MEN'S AND WOMEN'S CHOIR,

MEMBERS OF THE BALLET COMPANY

OF THE CROATIAN NATIONAL THEATER IN ZAGREB,

RADIO CHOIR, AND ZAGREB

PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA

Conductor:

BORIS PAPANDOPULO

This film was produced in Zagreb by the NATIONAL

FILM INSTITUTE "HRVATSKI SLIKOPIS"

CROATIA FILM,

headed by MARIJAN MIKAC

Ladies and gentlemen,

the life of many great Croats

was difficult, bleak and woeful.

Today, as we listen to the immortal

music composed by the great Lisinski,

and as we sense the

magnitude of his creation,

we will also take a look back

at the last 13 years of his life;

years he spent misunderstood

by his colleagues and companions.

Our story begins in 1841.

At this time, Lisinski was an unpaid

trainee in a government office.

Hello, my friend. It is

a good thing you're home.

Hello, triga. What happened?

I am all out of breath.

Big things, big events,

my dear Lisinski.

Gaj is coming to Zagreb,

our great Croat, great patriot,

and the Croatian youth

will prepare a fitting welcome.

Excellent, triga. But,

what shall we do, and how?

Listen, Nacek. Enough

of pushing these papers,

do you really think

this is the job for you?

Will youalways be some lowly clerk?

- But, Striga, what are you doing?

Listen to me.

You have a tremendous musical talent, it

has to be expressed to the Croatian people.

Now you should seriously get to work on

it. - It is not that simple, my dear Striga.

It is just that simple...

- You see, my friend...

Listen, I guarantee

that we will break through.

Demeter wrote a poem

in honor of Gaj's arrival in Zagreb,

and you will set that poem

to music. - But Striga...

Listen to it:

"Free is the bird that soars through the sky,

free is the beast that roams the mountain;

why then should I let these chains bind be,

why should a foreigner walk over me"

What do you think...

these words, this thought?

Let me see.

"He who would not sooner die,

has not our blood in his veins"

You will set this poem to music, and

it will be the first Croatian patriotic song.

Yes, you are right,

but I dare not do such a thing.

You see, dear triga, I have never

composed anything for the public

and I am afraid I'm not worthy of it.

True, music is my whole world,

but for such a ceremonial occasion...

Vatroslav, you will write this song,

you are born to be an artist.

triga, triga, you are a dreamer,

but I will try it anyway.

You must, Vatroslav, you must.

We will create great works together.

But now I leave you to your muses.

Pull together, Lisinski,

now is the moment

to show the world what the

Croatian youth is capable of.

Goodbye, friend.

- Goodbye, Striga.

Bravo! Excellent! Bravo!

My deepest bows, our splendid

countess. - Good evening, Striga.

My apologies for interrupting

this marvelous artistic event, but...

It is all right, dear triga,

you are always welcome in my home.

I am fortunate to be able to enter so

freely the home of countess Sidonija Rubido,

our great patriot and a wonderful artist.

You flatter me too much, dear triga.

No, no, dear countess,

he speaks what is in all our hearts.

Oh, my troubadours, did we meet

simply to exchange compliments?

You should rather help yourselves,

dear gentlemen. - Thank you, countess.

Countess, I am here

to ask a favor, a big favor.

Go ahead, triga. - I wanted to ask

if you would try to sing this song?

It must be an aria from some

opera, is that right, triga?

No, it isn't from an opera.

It is a new Croatian song.

Croatian song? - Yes. - Interesting...

It is a Croatian patriotic song.

- Who is the composer?

Our talented Lisinski.

Vatroslav Lisinski. - Lisinski?

Who is this Lisinski anyway?

Are we always going to waste time

on those poor dilettantes of ours?

Don't bother, countess,

it is surely not worth the effort.

But dear Illustrissimus,

why be so harsh right away?

It is true, countess, that

Lisinski is not well known yet.

He is modest and shy, but very talented.

Countess, you must help us make

this patriotic tune known to the public.

I would be happy to do so, triga.

- Countess, you truly are an angel.

Very well, triga, just let me hear it.

Let's listen to it, professor.

Some composition this is,

no line at all, this is not an aria.

Complete dilettantism. - Quiet!

This is not so bad.

A nice little song.

Sounds like something patriotic.

- We need good patriotic songs.

I think that composer is very talented.

What is his name again? - Lisinski.

Aha, Lisinski.

The youth wholeheartedly

sided with Lisinski.

So as not to be disturbed

by the enemies of patriotic ideals,

they meet in the forest of Tukanac

where they learn to sing

the songs composed by Lisinski.

That wasn't so good, children.

Not "krv nevrije", but "krv ne vrije".

Now let us take it from the beginning.

But in all that idealistic fervor,

nobody thought to take care of Lisinski.

To survive, he went

from house to house,

teaching the children of his fellow

citizens music, for a meager compensation.

You see, Vatroslav, it's good

I was able to talk my father

into letting you have this room.

Not exactly luxurious, but at least

this way I can take care of you a bit.

You are not even listening to me.

- I'm listening, dear, I'm listening.

I apologize; you are so sweet and kind.

I become worried at a mere thought

that your family might

find out you come up here.

But, darling...

You see, my little Heda,

I lack the courage

to ask for your hand in marriage.

I haven't achieved anything

yet, it is all so pathetic.

All will be well, darling, you will see.

Oh, my two doves,

I apologize for intruding.

Perhaps you want me to leave - I will

then disappear, like a magician.

triga is here;

Striga is gone.

But dear triga...

- I kiss your hand.

Just stay, you are the only one who

knows our secret. Put it down, friend...

Thank you. - You are

always welcome here with us.

I received a magic parcel myself.

- Oooh, that is wonderful.

Look, magicians all around.

- Well, you haven't seen anything yet.

Watch carefully. My hands

are empty now. Right?

Hocus pocus,

my contribution to this celebration.

- Bravo, Striga. Excellent.

Please have a seat, friend. - Thank you.

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