Borislav Popović
Borislav Popović | |
|---|---|
| Born | Borislav Popović 1931 [1][2] |
| Died | February 6, 2009 [1][2] |
| Other names | Bora |
| Education | Academy of Theatre Arts in Belgrade (graduated in directing, class of Josip Kulundžić) [1] |
| Occupation(s) | Theatre director, Opera director |
| Years active | 1955–2009 |
| Employer | National Theatre in Belgrade |
| Awards | Sterija Award for directing,[1] Multiple awards from the National Theatre in Belgrade [1] |
Borislav "Bora" Popović (Serbian Cyrillic: Борислав Поповић; 1931 – 6 February 2009)[1][2] was one of the most eminent Yugoslav and Serbian theatre and opera directors. His career was predominantly associated with the National Theatre in Belgrade, and he was distinguished by his equal mastery in both drama and opera direction.[1] He was known for his thorough, psychologically profound interpretations of classical works and his dedicated work with performers.[1] His legacy also lives on through the "Borislav Popović" Opera Studio at the National Theatre.[3]
There are discrepancies in sources regarding Borislav Popović's exact dates of birth and death. While some sources cite May 11, 1930, as his birth date and December 17, 2010, as his death date, newspaper reports and obituaries published at the time of his passing (such as those in the Danas[1] and on the "SEEcult" portal[2]) list 1931 as his year of birth and February 6, 2009, as his date of death. This article uses the data from the obituaries.
Biography
[edit]Borislav Popović was born in 1931 in Novi Sad, then part of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia.[1][2] He graduated in directing from the Academy of Theatre Arts in Belgrade (now the Faculty of Dramatic Arts), in the class of Professor Josip Kulundžić.[1]
Directing career
[edit]Engagement at the National Theatre
[edit]As a director, Borislav Popović joined the Drama department of the National Theatre in Belgrade in 1955 and remained there until his retirement.[1] At this theatre, he directed over fifty drama and opera productions.[1] His work was characterized by psychologically profound interpretations of classical works and thorough work with actors.[1]
Drama direction
[edit]A significant part of Popović's oeuvre consisted of staging classics of world dramatic literature. His notable drama directions at the National Theatre include:
- The Merchant of Venice (William Shakespeare)[1]
- Julius Caesar (William Shakespeare)[1]
- Fishermen's Quarrels (Carlo Goldoni)[1]
Opera direction
[edit]Popović's work in opera was exceptionally prolific; throughout his career, he directed approximately seventy opera titles.[1] He was the Director of the Opera of the National Theatre in Belgrade from 1980 to 1983.[1] As a guest director, he frequently worked in opera houses in Novi Sad, Ljubljana, Sarajevo, and Skopje, and was also the director of the opera in Rijeka in 1987 and 1988.[1] Key opera productions included:
- La traviata (Giuseppe Verdi)[1]
- Il trovatore (Giuseppe Verdi)[1]
- Otello (Giuseppe Verdi)[1]
- La forza del destino (Giuseppe Verdi)[1]
- Carmen (Georges Bizet)[1]
- The Barber of Seville (Gioachino Rossini)[1]
- The Magic Flute (Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart)[1]
- The Marriage of Figaro (Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart)[1]
- La bohème (Giacomo Puccini)[1]
- Tosca (Giacomo Puccini)[1]
Pedagogical work
[edit]"Borislav Popović" Opera Studio
[edit]Borislav Popović founded the Opera Studio at the National Theatre in Belgrade in 1994, where he worked, with occasional interruptions, until his death.[1][3] By a decision of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Serbia and the Board of Directors of the National Theatre, the Opera Studio was officially named "Borislav Popović" on March 30, 2009.[3] The studio offers a two-season training program for young singers, including students of the Faculty of Music Arts (FMU) for whom it is a compulsory subject, as well as other talented individuals admitted via audition.[3]
Academy of Fine Arts
[edit]From 2004, Popović was engaged in pedagogical work within the Opera Studio at the Academy of Fine Arts in Belgrade (now Alfa BK University).[2]
Awards and recognitions
[edit]Borislav Popović received significant accolades for his work:
- Sterija Award for directing[1]
- Multiple awards from the National Theatre in Belgrade[1]
Legacy
[edit]Borislav Popović left a profound mark on Serbian performing arts. His pedagogical work, primarily through the "Borislav Popović" Opera Studio at the National Theatre, is a key element of his lasting legacy, ensuring the transfer of knowledge and artistic vision to new generations.[3][1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah "IN MEMORIAM - Borislav Popović". Danas (daily newspaper) (in Serbian (Latin script)). Retrieved May 15, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f "Preminuo Borislav Popović (Borislav Popović has passed away)". SEEcult.org (in Serbian (Latin script)). Retrieved May 15, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e "Operski studio (Opera Studio)". National Theatre in Belgrade (in Serbian (Latin script)). Retrieved May 15, 2025.
External links
[edit]- "IN MEMORIAM - Borislav Popović" on the website of Danas (in Serbian)
- "Preminuo Borislav Popović" on SEEcult.org (in Serbian)