A delegation of the Croatian Heritage Foundation was at the opening of the Lipša Tofović exhibition and took part in the promotion of a Croatian-Macedonian conversational handbook published by the Council of the Macedonian National Minority of the City of Zagreb. Joining council president Tomo Apostoloski to speak at the promo event was Croatian Heritage Foundation director Mijo Marić.
Zagreb Theatre Artists at the Skopje Opera is a joint project of the Croatian Heritage Foundation and the Council of the Macedonian National Minority of the City of Zagreb that aims to save from oblivion the immeasurable contribution of Croatian artists to the founding and development of Macedonian opera. One of the project’s activities is an exhibition dedicated to Croatian opera diva Ana Lipša Tofović. Along with Lovro pl. Matačić and Zina (Rozina) Krelja she is the most important Croatian figure in the history of Macedonian theatre.
The exhibition on the life and work of alto and mezzosoprano Ana Lipša Tofović opened on the 15th of May at the Macedonian Opera and Ballet building in Skopje. On hand to welcome everyone were the opera house’s director Bisera Čadlovska, Croatian Heritage Foundation director Mijo Marić, Council of the Macedonian National Minority of the City of Zagreb president Tomo Apostoloski, and well-known musicologist Mr Trajčevski.
Born in Sisak in 1926, Ana Lipša began her successful career as a member of the Radio Zagreb Choir and sang the role of Olga in the radio performance of the opera Eugene Onegin. In 1947 she continued her operatic career at the Opera of the Macedonian National Theatre, where she was guided by conductor Lovro pl. Matačić, playing numerous roles, usually under Matačić’s baton. She performed across Europe and in China and was notable for her work as concert performer and pedagogue. She delighted audiences as George Bizet’s Carmen and was lauded for her performances in Don Carlos, Eugene Onegin, Orpheus and Norma. Married Tofović, Ana Lipša is a recipient of the top Macedonian decoration, the 11 Oktomvri Award.
Photographs of this Croatian prima donna from the archives of the Macedonian Theatre were brilliantly restored for this exhibition by Vlaho Brangjolica. The exhibition also featured costumes from the holdings of the Macedonian Opera and Ballet and other stage props. The Croatian Community of Macedonia and tireless Croatian-Macedonian poet Ljerka Toth Naumova also played an important role in putting together this exhibition.
The day following the opening of the exhibition on the life and work of Ana Lipša Tofović the delegation of the Croatian Heritage Foundation took part in the promotion of a Croatian-Macedonian conversational handbook published by the Council of the Macedonian National Minority of the City of Zagreb. Joining council president Tomo Apostoloski to speak at the promo event was Croatian Heritage Foundation director Mijo Marić.
During their two-day visit to the Macedonian capital the three-member Croatian Heritage Foundation delegation was also received by Danijela Barišić, our ambassador to North Macedonia.
Article and photography: Željko Rupić