Split’s 72nd Splitsko ljeto festival opens with Verdi’s Don Carlo

The 72nd edition of Splitsko ljeto opened on 14 July in Split, Croatia, and will run until 14 August. The cultural festival features 54 performances across more than ten new venues, including the historic Peristil open‑air stage. The opening night showcased the premiere of Verdi’s opera Don Carlo, directed by Goran Golovko and conducted by Simon Krečić, with a cast of domestic singers.

Mayor Tomislav Šuta inaugurated the festival, emphasizing the role of art in uniting the city. Festival organisers highlighted a diverse program that spans opera, drama, ballet and concerts, with additional sites such as Diocletian’s Palace basements, Marjan, and the town of Vrlika.

Former deputy mayor Bojan Ivošević criticised the festival’s ticket sales, noting that only 34 % of per‑stage seats were sold for the first Don Carlo performance and that a third showing had sold just 28 % of tickets. He demanded transparency on public spending for the production.

The festival also hosted the co‑production of Marina Držić’s play "Skup" at the 77th Dubrovnik Summer Games, marking a collaboration between the two major Croatian summer festivals.