This romantic-patriotic drama based on a historical tragedy, written by the King of Montenegro, Nikola I Petrović Njegoš, is dedicated to the women of Montenegro, acknowledging their qualities and uniqueness.

In honor of the 20th anniversary of the independence of Montenegro, the famous Montenegrin opera of national importance will be one of the highlights of the XIII edition of the Operosa festival of the Montenegro Opera Festival 2026. It will be premiered at the opening in Luštica Bay on July 18, at 9 p.m., and the performance within the festival is scheduled for August 14, at 9 p.m., at Forte Mare Fortress, as well as for August 15, at 8 p.m., at Mamula Island by Banyan Tree.

The opera “Balkanska carica” in the premiere performance of this year’s Operosa festival brings the permeation of tradition and modern expression. A contemporary of the great Italian opera composers, Verdi and Puccini, Dionizio De Sarno San Giorgio brings the traditional bel canto expression to the first Montenegrin national opera.

Under the baton of Mihajlo Miletić and directed by Nina Martinović, this premiere festival performance gathers prominent artists of the region and brings a new reading of the first Montenegrin national opera work with an original, new orchestration.

The set design is by Angela Božović, and the costume design by Maša Mirković. Soprano Milica Lalošević performs the title role of Danica, along with Stevan Karanac as Stanko Crnojević, Tamas Kiš as Ivan the Bey, Nevena Goranova Rajković as Marta and Lazar Kindjić in the roles of the Guslar and the Old Prophet. The role of a young country girl is interpreted through dance by Tijana Dragović, accompanied by the Festival Orchestra of Montenegro.

Tickets:

– Luštica Bay – entrance is free

– Forte Mare – www.hercegfestulaznice.me and at the box office of Park Hall

– Mamula Island by Banyan Tree – new.gigstix.me