About the museum:
In 2004, on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the birth of the Istrian composer Antonio Smareglia (1854-1929), the composer's Memorial Room at his native home in Pula was opened to public.
The permanent exhibition is located on the ground floor. It features letters, photographs, music scores, audio recordings, publications, paintings, graphics, and so on, which allows the visitors to get acquainted with the composer's life and work. The exhibits include photographs and works of art dedicated to the composer, as well as opportunities for visitors to listen to audio and video recordings of some of Smareglia's compositions.
Antonio Smareglia's operas left a significant mark on Central European music, as his works were performed in many European cities. In 1871 he started working in Italy, seeking a new kind of musical theatre modelled on Wagner, but the Italian audience did not quite accept his works. He returned to Istria in 1894 and composed the opera Nozze Istriane (Istrian Wedding, 1895), the content of which is related to the town of Vodnjan. It is his most performed opera and has a hint of Istrian melodies.
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