On the occasion of the National Day of the Republic of Croatia at EXPO 2025 Osaka on Saturday, September 20, 2025, from 7 to 8 P.M., Opera b.b. Zagreb will perform on the Festial Station stage with free admission for all visitors.
Opera b.b. Zagreb is Croatia’s first chamber opera theatre, founded in 2006 with the mission of promoting opera both nationally and internationally. Since its founding, the ensemble has collaborated with cities across Croatia and numerous festivals, while also giving guest performances abroad, strengthening its international presence and reputation.
The theatre was founded by opera singer Ronald Braus, who serves as its artistic director. Its first chief conductor was Maestro Vladimir Kranjčević, while today the ensemble works with a range of conductors, including Igor Vlajnić, Darijan Ivezić, and others. Under this artistic leadership, Opera b.b. Zagreb has developed a distinctive identity and enriched the Croatian operatic scene with a series of premieres and collaborations.
The repertoire spans some of the most notable works of chamber opera, including Francis Poulenc’s La voix humaine, Gian Carlo Menotti’s The Telephone and The Medium, Gaetano Donizetti’s Rita and Il campanello, Gioachino Rossini’s Il signor Bruschino, Giovanni Battista Pergolesi’s La serva padrona, and Jacques Ibert’s Angélique.
Opera b.b. Zagreb is also renowned for its operetta repertoire, featuring classics such as Countess Maritza, The Merry Widow, and Die Fledermaus. The ensemble places particular emphasis on presenting the national heritage, and on the occasion of Croatia’s National Day at EXPO 2025 in Osaka, it will perform the opera Nikola Šubić Zrinjski, a work that holds a special place in Croatian cultural identity.
With its artistic vision, international guest appearances, and dedication to both chamber opera and operetta, Opera b.b. Zagreb has become a distinctive and influential institution in Croatia’s cultural life.
