"Nikola Šubić-Zrinjski" is an opera by Ivan pl. Zajc with a libretto by Hugo Badalić about the Ottoman siege of Szigetvár and the heroism of Nikola Šubić Zrinski (Zrinjski). It is one of the most popular and frequently performed Croatian musical stage works. The premiere, conducted by the composer himself, was performed on 4 November 1876, at the National State Theatre in Zagreb.
The plot is set in the fortress of Szigetvár in September 1566, during the Turkish siege. The fortress is defended by commander Nikola Šubić Zrinski, along with his officers and 2,500 soldiers. It is attacked by about 100,000 Turks under the command of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, who had set out to conquer Vienna. The Sultan dies a natural death, but his death is kept a secret to prevent a rebellion in the army. The siege continues, and after the city is set on fire, Nikola Šubić Zrinski and the remaining survivors launch a charge on 7 September in which almost all of them perish. Weakened and with heavy losses, the Turks abandoned the conquest of Vienna.
The opera's finale, "U boj" (To Battle), was written in 1866 by Franjo Marković and composed by Ivan Zajc. It was later incorporated into Zajc's opera. It gained great popularity in Japan, where it was brought by Croatian sailors during the withdrawal of the Austro-Hungarian army from the Russian Far East after World War I. (Željka Šaravanja)
Croatian Post Ltd. Mostar has issued a commemorative postage stamp in a sheet of 9 stamps, a postmark and a first day cover (FDC). The stamps and accompanying materials can be purchased at HP Mostar post offices and online at www.epostshop.ba
