The Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb closed out its Zagreb Opera Festival with a gala on Sept. 20, 2026 featuring tenor Piotr Beczała.

The performance simultaneously represented the beginning of General Manager and Artistic Director Iva Hraste Sočo’s second term, which runs until September 2030.

Meanwhile, the company also extended Morandi’s tenure as Chief Conductor 2030.

Beczała performed alongside soprano Marigona Qerkezi, the soloists and the Orchestra of the Croatian National Theatre Opera, led by Chief Conductor Pier Giorgio Morandi. This performance also marked Beczała’s return to the company after four years when he also appeared as special guest at the Opera Gala on Sept. 18, 2022.

“When Piotr Beczała stood on our stage in September 2022, we wanted that evening to represent much more than the opening of a season. It was a statement about the direction in which we wanted to take this theatre, internationally connected, artistically ambitious and deeply confident in the quality of its own ensembles. Four years later, his return carries a very special symbolism,” Hraste Sočo said, per an official press release.