Meet Kristina Opačić Vrućina: LADO’s newest principal

Kristina Opačić Vrućina (Photo: LADO)

Kristina Opačić Vrućina is the new principal of the LADO Ensemble. 

As a longstanding soloist, she has achieved an impressive artistic career, and she attained the title of principal of the only national professional ensemble in early March this year. 

Her artistic progression occurred in the year when LADO celebrates 75 years of artistic activity.

“I would say I am honoured, happy, and even more motivated to perform my job to the best of my abilities,” commented Opačić Vrućina modestly and unassumingly on her advancement to this prestigious and, for an artist of the LADO Ensemble, responsible title. 

Her promotion was decided by the Artistic Council, and Kristina Opačić Vrućina was declared the principal of the LADO Ensemble because she is an excellent and prominent soloist possessing the highest levels of technical and stylistic interpretation, both in dance and vocal elements, recognised through her numerous stage, dance, vocal, and vocal-instrumental performances. 

With her dedicated work, dance and vocal qualities, outstanding interpretations, professional approach, and every task entrusted to her, as highlighted by Krunoslav Šokac, artistic director of the LADO Ensemble, “an artist distinguished by exceptional stage presence and charisma.” 

He notes that Opačić Vrućina functions excellently as part of the dance ensemble but also as an artist who flawlessly performs demanding solo dance and vocal roles. 

Kristina Opačić Vrućina (Photo: LADO)

She particularly stood out in interpreting stylistically demanding and characteristically diverse dances such as “Valpovo Kolo,” “Krk Dance,” “Međimurje Written Sunday,” and as the bride in the award-winning choreography “Podravski Wedding Guests.”

Alongside Kristina Opačić Vrućina, artistic advancements have also touched the LADO Ensemble Orchestra. Section leaders and musicians Mario Hajsok and Mladen Trčak have progressed to the category of solo musicians.