72nd Split Summer Festival opens: A month-long celebration of opera, theatre and music

(Photo: Grad Split)

SPLIT, 15 July 2026 – The 72nd edition of the Split Summer Festival officially opened on Tuesday evening with the premiere of Verdi’s Don Carlo on the iconic Peristyle, marking the start of Split’s biggest cultural event of the year.

The festival began with the traditional fanfare and the raising of the festival flag before Split Mayor Tomislav Šuta officially declared the event open, launching a month-long programme of opera, theatre, ballet and concerts.

This year’s festival features a total of 54 performances, taking place at some of Split’s most recognisable historic locations, including the Peristyle, the cellars of Diocletian’s Palace, Marjan and other venues across the city. The programme continues the festival’s long-standing tradition of combining world-class performances with Split’s unique historical setting.

The opening performance saw Verdi’s Don Carlo return to the Peristyle for the first time in 18 years in a new site-specific production. The opera is directed by Goran Golovko, conducted by maestro Simon Krečić, and stars leading Croatian opera performers including Ivica Čikeš and Tomislav Mužek.

(Photo: Grad Split)

Addressing those gathered for the opening ceremony, Mayor Šuta said the Split Summer Festival is more than a cultural event, describing it as a reflection of the values the city wishes to promote, including dialogue, mutual respect and togetherness.

He said that art has the power to bring people together, encourage new ideas and cooperation, and help build a city where diversity is respected and dialogue takes precedence over division.

Among those attending the opening ceremony were Minister of Culture and Media Nina Obuljen Koržinek, representatives of the Croatian National Theatre Split, Split-Dalmatia County, invited guests from cultural and public life, and a large audience that filled the Peristyle.

(Photo: Grad Split)

Now in its 72nd year, the Split Summer Festival continues its tradition of bringing opera, drama, ballet and concerts into the heart of the city, transforming Split’s historic landmarks into open-air stages throughout the festival.