Location: Peristyle Square  

Date: May 25, 2025, Sunday at 8:00 PM  

A Concert Marking the 1100th Anniversary of King Tomislav’s Coronation  

The 1100th anniversary of the Croatian Kingdom is a significant jubilee commemorated throughout 2025 in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Croatian communities abroad through various ceremonies, cultural, artistic, and scientific events. This anniversary marks the coronation of King Tomislav, the Croatian Kingdom, and the beginning of the Split Church Councils.  

On March 14, 2024, the Croatian Parliament unanimously adopted the initiative of the Society "Brothers of the Croatian Dragon" and Matica hrvatska, declaring 2025 as the "Year of the 1100th Anniversary of the Croatian Kingdom." This commemoration reaffirms Croatia’s millennia-long statehood, recognizes the historical significance of the medieval Croatian Kingdom, promotes Croatian cultural heritage, and encourages further historical research and academic conferences.  

Split, the cradle of the Croatian state, was the site of the First Church Council in 925, where the first documents confirming the existence of the Croatian Kingdom were created. At this council, the highest representatives of both the Church and the Kingdom gathered under the leadership of King Tomislav. While the exact time and place of his coronation remain unknown, historical records confirm that Tomislav held the title of king during this well-documented event, making 925 the traditionally accepted year of his coronation.  

Eleven centuries later, Split’s Cathedral and Peristil, as ancient witnesses of these historic events, will serve as the setting for the grand celebration of King Tomislav’s coronation anniversary.  

This prestigious occasion will be enhanced by a concert of the Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra, one of Croatia’s oldest and most esteemed musical institutions, conducted by Maestro Ivan Josip Skender.  

The musical program is centered around the theme of celebration, beginning with George Frideric Handel’s "Music for the Royal Fireworks" composed in 1749 to commemorate the end of the War of the Austrian Succession. This vibrant and widely recognized piece is renowned for its brilliant fanfares.  

A cornerstone of Croatian classical music, the Symphonies of Luka Sorkočević are characterized by inspired melodies and skillfully crafted forms, symbolizing the refinement and beauty of their cultural origins.  

Another masterpiece on the program is Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s "Coronation Mass" composed in 1779 for the coronation of Francis II as Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire in Salzburg.  

Jakov Gotovac, the leading figure of Croatian national opera in the 20th century, drew inspiration from Dalmatian folklore, including traditional klapa singing and the striking harmonies of the Dalmatian hinterland. His sixth opera, "Đerdan" (1955), is based on the stories "Đerdan" and "Alkar" by Dinko Šimunović, transforming them into music infused with the Mediterranean’s vibrant light. This opera is often compared to Gotovac’s most famous work and is sometimes called a "small Ero" after his celebrated opera Ero s onoga svijeta.  

Blagoje Bersa, a pioneer of modern Croatian music in the early 20th century, introduced a cosmopolitan spirit while remaining deeply inspired by his homeland’s landscapes. His short orchestral works "Idyll" and "Capriccio-Scherzo" reflect personal memories: Idyll, one of his most beautiful compositions, recalls his marriage and youthful years in Split, while Capriccio-Scherzo conveys irony and dark playfulness, illustrating life’s twists and turns.  

The concert will conclude with "Hallelujah" from Handel’s oratorio Messiah, a magnificent choral piece renowned for its uplifting orchestration and timeless jubilance.  

Joining the Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra will be distinguished soloists and the Ivan Filipović Chamber Choir, led by choir conductor Goran Jerković.