Croatia suffers two mortal losses

We have been notified of the deaths yeaterday of the US-born Croatian soprano Cynthia Hansell-Bakić and the conductor Loris Voltolini, both of whom enjoyed international careers.

Voltolini, who was 67, was permanent guest conductor the Slovenian National Theater Ljubljana and a regular performer with the Mozarteum in Salzburg.

Cynthia Hansell-Bakić, who was 73, was professor of singing at the Academy of Arts in Split and the Academy of Music in Zagreb. Raised in Virginia, she met her Croatian husband when she was 21 and settled happily in his country, singing more than 60 roles in its opera houses. Among her favoured roles were Maria in Wozzeck and Judit in Bluebeard’s Castle. She was especially popular in Hungary.