Lisinski Page #2

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Where do you get all this energy from,

Striga? You are truly like a meteor.

What? What am I?

A meteor, a bright little meteor

on our otherwise sorrowful sky.

We shall all become meteors,

comets if need be.

We will sweep with our bright tails through

our dormant surroundings that ail us so.

triga, you are truly wonderful.

But children, joking aside.

Listen to me, Vatroslav.

I think you have spent enough time composing

those little songs and patriotic tunes.

triga, you know... - Please

don't interrupt me before I'm finished.

You, Vatroslav Lisinski,

will compose an opera. - Opera?

Yes, yes. An opera,

the first Croatian opera.

Here, take a look.

This here is the libretto.

It was written by Janko Car,

and edited by Demetar himself.

You think that we... - Yes, yes, us.

We will have our own opera.

It will be titled "Love & Malice".

You will write an opera?

Oh my God, oh my God.

Only a man like Lisinski could

compose the first Croatian opera.

Dare I decide to do this?

Do I have the strength for it?

You do, Vatroslav. You must.

- 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.

If you please, countess,

before the curtain. - Pardon me?

Listen.

They are shouting my name.

I am so happy and proud.

But I did not deserve this.

My great artist. - My God,

man, why are you hiding here?

Come, the audience wants to see you.

The success of our

first opera was remarkable.

The newspapers wrote about

it with great enthusiasm.

Poet Stanko Vraz wrote a beautiful

description of this first opera performance,

full of praise for Lisinki

and all the participants.

Lisinski had worked tirelessly and with so

much zeal to bring his first opera to life,

that he neglected to take care of himself.

His health, fragile in the best of times,

could not withstand such a strain,

and shortly after the premiere

he had fallen seriously ill.

Here, Vatroslav. That

will ease your pain.

Good. - Thank you, darling.

I have received another

letter from Krizmani. Read it, dear.

My dear Lisinski, I am still excited about

the great success of our national cause.

You, my son, have done a great

deal for the Croatian people...

That's not important,

just read the last part.

Very well.

...and therefore, without hesitation, come

to visit me here in Bistrica straight away.

This wonderful nature

will speed up your recovery.

I await you with a

friendly and open heart.

Yours truly, abbot Krizmani,

vicar of Marija Bistrica.

Help yourself, my son, please.

As if you were at home.

Just this piece. This is

the original Zagorje turkey.

Thank you, Illustrissimus, I have

had enough. I really couldn't eat more.

Eh, my young friend, that cannot be.

You have other tasks ahead

of you. You must gain strength.

I will, Illustrissimus. You are

so kind. I don't know how to repay you.

Don't worry about that, my artist. I know

you have other worries on your mind.

All secrets come out in the open eventually.

What secrets, Illustrissimus?

I don't know what you're talking about.

You know very well, my friend.

Besides, what is my friend,

the noble gentleman and city

judge Ivan Ban doing these days?

He is a wonderful gentleman. - And he

has an even more wonderful daughter.

Aha, we know everything.

But you must promise me something.

You and your Hedviga must get

married here, at my church in Bistrica.

I gladly give that promise, Illustrissimus.

But I have much to achieve yet

to become worthy of Hedviga.

She is so kind and noble.

Yes, yes, that is well known.

However, it seems to me that this

conversation is leaving you a bit confused.

Wait, I'll show you something.

Matek! Matek, bring that

old cantual from my room.

As you wish, highness, right away.

You know, I have an old cantual

which is sure to interest you.

Church music, friend, is the

foundation of all secular musical art.

You are right, Illustrissimus.

I wish nothing more than to fully

dedicate myself to the art of music.

You know, Illustrissimus,

that it is my life's goal.

If you please, highness.

Aha, we are about the show the young

artist what kind of music we have here.

Take a look, this is something...

Take a closer look at it.

Isn't this polonaise

wonderful? - Excellent.

By Lisinski.

You are remarkably cheerful today, triga.

Who wouldn't be in your

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