Renata Pokupić

Opera adaptation of Marko Marulić's epic poem "Judita" ("Judith"), composed by Frano Parać, with libretto by Frano Parać and Tonko Maroević. Premiered 14th July 2000 in HNK Split (Croatian National Theater Split).

This epic opera follows Virgil, beginning as the Greeks appear to have ceded the field after ten years of the Trojan War. Cassandra tries to warn of the terrible fate to come, but fate is set and Troy falls. The first two acts cover this tragic end, then the flight of survivors to Carthage and events at Carthage continue in acts 3 - 5, culminating in the further voyage for Italy and Rome. This is Virgil's classic epic, in operatic form, in about a three and a half hour performance from French Opera.

A disillusioned opera star, a lonely pastry chef, and a divorced Don Juan with an amorous history offstage make for choice ingredients in this poignant romantic tale spiced with Christmas cookies, borscht, and an alarming quantity of deadly insecticide. Director Tribuson demonstrates a deft talent for juggling comic romantic disasters from a woman’s point of view as her characters negotiate the bamboozling ways of love. Middle-aged Verica (acclaimed actress Marinković) pours her heart into her café’s pastries, but she can’t seem to find a like-minded lover until a duplicitous handyman with pheromones to spare and an eye for the ladies sets off a chain of unforeseen adventures all tied together by one fateful plate of tasty treats.