Black Masks: Slovene National Theatre Opera and Ballet Ljubljana

About the Event

The Slovene National Theatre Opera and Ballet Ljubljana performs Marij Kogoj's opera "Black Masks" in Ljubljana.

One of the central works of Slovenian operatic modernism, if not its only true representative (at least in the first half of the 20th century), Black Masks was written between 1924 and 1927. Premiering in May 1929, the innovative work was received rather tepidly. 

Despite the unfavourable circumstances of its launch, the opera revealed its tremendous potential at the very start, displaying great dramatic impact and distinctive musical idiom. The work was put on again in 1957 and in 1990, and a recording was made in 1970.

Disregarded for a number of years, the 800‐page score has been revived and re‐examined by an impassioned and devoted Slovenian conductor of international renown, Uroš Lajovic. 

Staged as part of the European Capital of Culture 2012, Black Masks is a great opportunity for global promotion of an important part of Slovenian operatic modernism, whose timeless subject matter and avant‐garde style render it universally topical still today.

Conductor: Uroš Lajovic

Directed by: Janez Burger

Set design: Numen

Costume design: Alan Hranitelj

Choreography: Edward Clug


Principal soloists: Jože Vidic, Andrej Debevec, Martina Zadro/Andreja Zakonjšek Krt k. g., Saša Čano, Peter Martinčič/Sebastijan Čelofiga k. g., Martin Sušnik k. g./Dejan Maksimiljan Vrbančič, Darko Vidic k. g./Jaki Jurgec k. g., Norina Radovan/Valentina Čuden k. g., Elena Dobravec, Ivan Andres Arnšek, Rok Bavčar, Zdravko Perger, Tomaž Zadnikar, Zoran Potočan.

Performance length: 175 minutes.
The performance has an intermission.