The Croatian National Theatre in Rijeka, named for the prominent Croatian opera composer Ivan Zajc, comprises four companies: Opera (including the Rijeka Symphony Orchestra), Croatian Drama, Italian Drama and Ballet.
Each season, the Theatre presents a diverse program featuring opera, drama, musical, ballet and dance performances, concerts (symphonic and chamber, recitals), performances for children and youth, and more. In addition to the main programme in the historic 1885 building and other venues in Rijeka, the CNT also organises the “Summer Classics Festival” in the magnificent Roman Arena in the city of Pula, Istria, with open-air opera productions and classical music concerts.
The Rijeka Opera is characterized by a wide and diverse repertoire ranging from baroque, Italian, German, French and Slavic opera classics, to 20th century titles and commissioned contemporary works. The Rijeka Opera and Rijeka Symphony Orchestra regularly collaborate with artists from around the world, with numerous operas and concerts showcasing visiting conductors, stage directors and guest singers, which recently included Karita Mattila, Sumi Jo, Dunja Vejzovic, Maria Guleghina, Hui He, Maida Hundeling, Diana Haller, Lars Cleveman, Yusif Eyvazov, José Carreras, José Cura, Giorgio Surian, Lucio Gallo, Carlo Colombara, Goran Jurić and others. The current General Manager & Artistic Director of CNT in Rijeka is Marin Blažević; the Opera Company is led by Filip Fak, while mo Valentin Egel was recently appointed Chief Conductor of the RSO and Rijeka Opera.