C O M I N G S O O N
TRANSCENDENTAL NEO - OPERA
“There is a light and shimmering thread that encircles and unites us all.
In this fine and glittering web we’re standing forever bound.”
THE CIRCLE GOES ON FOREVER!
World premiere date to be announced.
Music: Dino Zonic
Libretto: Mustafa Tanovic, Dino Zonic, Rade Cikes-Medan, Ann and Nancy Wilson (Heart), James Rounds
CIRCLE – The Transcendental Neo-Opera is a paradigm-shifting hybrid show that fuses musical theatre, rock opera, contemporary opera, electro-symphonic music, and multimedia storytelling into a singular, immersive experience.
The concept behind CIRCLE is both timely and timeless: a work born from one of history's darkest moments that seeks to inspire hope, unity, and human connection. The themes that transcend language, culture, age, and geography.
Born from the pain, terror, and devastation of the Siege of Sarajevo, the original CIRCLE first emerged as an artistic response to one of the late 20th century’s darkest chapters.
THE MESSAGE IS SIMPLE AND URGENT:
HUMANITY MUST CHOOSE CONNECTION OVER DIVISION, COMPASSION OVER CONFLICT, AND HOPE OVER FEAR.
CIRCLE STANDS AS A POWERFUL ARTISTIC DECLARATION
THAT PEACE IS NOT A DREAM OF THE FUTURE,
IT IS A CHOICE WE CAN MAKE TODAY.
This reimagining of the first CIRCLE - Musical elevates the original work into a contemporary multidimensional show.
CIRCLE is a transcendental journey through immersive music, evocative imagery of human connection and transformation.
CIRCLE production explores the timeless themes that unite humanity beyond borders, cultures, and beliefs.
Audiences will embark on an emotional and spiritual experience:
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Human empowerment
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Strength through unity
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Collective healing
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The possibility of global unity
CIRCLE is forged in a fractured world marked by conflict and collective uncertainty, and transforms drama into transcendence.
CIRCLE is a blend of compositions, narrations, and visual imagery and as such, has no direct dialogue between the characters. The only character that speaks is the narrator
(a prophet).
At its core, CIRCLE is a call for unity,
a celebration of liberty,
and a timeless plea for peace.
* * *
Music
The music of CIRCLE is fusion of orchestral
and electronic with featuring compositions:
Love is The Law, Day One, Shimmering Thread,
Morning, Call of The Flute, Tempest,
Allies, New Heaven, Dance in the Rain,
Show Me The Way, Prayer, and Mirage.
Driven by an orchestral and electronic score, the experience interweaves operatic and rock-infused vocal performances that move between intimacy and eruption. Classical instrumentation merges with electronic textures, creating a sonic architecture that feels both ancient and futuristic.
Visual
CIRCLE presents an immersive visual environment through 3D projections and interactive content. A projected imagery integrates with the stage and performers, creating a dynamic scenography and multidimensional experience. Visual elements are synchronized and interactively responsive to the music and sound effects, generating an ever-evolving audiovisual narrative that surrounds and engages the audience on multiple sensory levels.
Sound
At the heart of CIRCLE is its live orchestral-electronic performance sound and master tape sound processed through a High-Resolution (Hi-Res) audio technology system designed to engage the audience on every sensory level.
Such setup create a fully encompassing experience where sound, image, and performance become one.
* * *
STATUS
Music Score: Completed
85 minutes of the original music score.
Stage Direction: Completed
Visualization: in Process
Location: TBD
Drawing on decades throughout numerous productions,
Maestro Zonic ensures that CIRCLE meets the highest artistic standards.
By combining artistic excellence with modern immersive technology, CIRCLE stands as a globally marketable entertainment property—capable of delivering both significant artistic impact and compelling commercial results.
* * *
SHIMMERING THREAD
For love we do not please,
we merely take it and we give.
All these dreams might seem unreal,
in our circle we make dreams fulfill.
Oh, The rain that falls upon the town
beats to the rhythm of love.
There’s light and shimmering thread,
that encircles and unites us all.
In this fine and glittering web,
we are standing forever bound.
There’s light and shimmering thread,
that encircles and unites us all!
A Global Invitation to Humanity
At a time when division, conflict, and uncertainty dominate the global landscape, CIRCLE invites people of all ages, cultures, faiths, and nations to rediscover what unites us most deeply: our shared humanity.
CIRCLE is a call to action—a global invitation to audiences, cultural institutions, producers, educators, artists, philanthropists, media organizations, and visionaries to join in spreading a message of hope, connection, and human solidarity across generations and across the world.
More than the revival of a successful opera-musical, CIRCLE reimagines a work born during the Siege of Sarajevo as a contemporary international artistic event with profound relevance to the challenges and aspirations of the 21st century.
Rooted in a true story of courage, creativity, and survival, CIRCLE transforms a powerful experience through immersive music, evocative imagery, and transformative storytelling, it demonstrates how music transcend boundaries, bridge differences, and awaken our collective sense of purpose.
This is a story of resilience, remembrance, and reconciliation and the enduring power of music to heal, unite, and inspire.
PROVEN LEGACY
The original CIRCLE production achieved significant
international recognition. Performed between 1995–2001 across:
Austria, England, Scotland, Germany, Croatia,
Bosnia and Herzegovina, and United States.
‘Theatre an der Wien’ Vienna-Austria
City of London Festival-England
‘Irish Art Center’ Broadway, New York-USA
‘Vatroslav Lisinski’ Concert Hall, Zagreb-Croatia
‘Schuster Performing Arts Center’ Dayton-USA
‘Postohoff’ Linz, Austria
Concert Hall, Muenster, Germany
Concert Hall, Hildesheim, Germany
‘Stadt Hale’ Graz, Austria
Concert Hall ‘Posthoff’ Linz, Austria
‘St. Magnus’ Festival, Scotland
‘Woodwick House’ – Orkney, Scotland
Stadt Halle - Salzburg, Austria
‘Croatian National Theatre’ Split, Croatia
‘Croatian National Theatre’ Rijeka, Croatia
‘Croatian National Theatre’ Zadar, Croatia
'Istrian National Theatre’ Pula, Croatia
‘Croatian National Theatre’ Varazdin, Croatia
BKC - Bosnian Cultural Center, Sarajevo, BiH
Among others.
UNIQUE POSITIONING
A New Genre:
TRANSCENDENTAL NEO-OPERA
Unlike traditional opera, musicals, or concerts, CIRCLE combines:
Traditional Opera / Rock Opera / Immersive Media / Neo-Opera
The audiences across the world are embracing large-scale immersive experiences:
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Experiential entertainment is rapidly expanding
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Musical theatre remains one of the strongest live entertainment sectors
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Audiences seek meaningful content with social impact
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Technology allows new forms of theatrical immersion
DAY ONE
We’re building a circle,
right here right now.
A millions of people,
ten thousand miles around.
We’ve only just started,
but you can feel it growing strong,
We are showing the world
how to get along.
This could take a lifetime,
a hundred trips round the sun.
If it takes a lifetime let this be day one.
Previous version of CIRCLE,
performed from 1995-2001
Between 1995 and 2001, the 1st production captivated audiences in sold-out theatres and concert halls across Europe, ultimately reaching the Broadway stage in New York, 2001.
Appeared in Broadway performances in 2001.
THE CIRCLE IS REMARKABLY UNIQUE!
Theatar an der Wien, Rudi Klausnitzer Director, Vienna - Austria
Born out of the pain, terror, and devastation of the Siege of Sarajevo, CIRCLE Musical, is a paradigm-shifting theatrical show, that emerges in a new, hybrid form.
CIRCLE transcends place and time through mesmerizing orchestral/electronic music and vocals. Circle is a fantasia of music, imagery, and intrigue.
CIRCLE portrays an epic tale of a group of its World-centric musicians on a perilous and victorious journey to fulfill a shared destiny, to spread a call for unity throughout the World.
From 1995 - 2001, CIRCLE Musical was performed in theaters and concert halls in Europe and the United States such as:
‘Theatre an der Wien’ Vienna-Austria
City of London Festival-England
‘Irish Art Center’ Broadway, New York-USA
‘Vatroslav Lisinski’ Concert Hall, Zagreb-Croatia
‘Schuster Performing Arts Center’ Dayton-USA
‘Postohoff’ Linz, Austria
Dayton Peace Accords – Dayton Peace Prize, USA
Michael Bashaw’s, Concert Auditorium Dayton, USA
Concert Hall, Muenster, Germany
Concert Hall, Hildesheim, Germany
‘Stadt Hale’ Graz, Austria
Concert Hall ‘Posthoff’ Linz, Austria
Concert Hall Salzburg, Austria
‘Hazelwood House’ South Devon, England
‘Spilsby’ Theatre – Linconshire, England
‘The Pit’ – Crondal, Farnham Surrey England
‘St. Magnus’ Festival, Scotland
‘Woodwick House’ – Orkney, Scotland
‘Croatian National Theatre’ Split, Croatia
‘Croatian National Theatre’ Osijek, Croatia
‘Croatian National Theatre’ Rijeka, Croatia
‘Croatian National Theatre’ Zadar, Croatia
'Istrian National Theatre’ Pula, Croatia
‘Croatian National Theatre’ Varazdin, Croatia
BKC - Bosnian Cultural Center, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
City of Tuzla Festival, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Among others.
CIRCLE has been recognized and claimed by his Holiness Pope John Paul II, his Holiness the Dalai Lama; the Presidential offices and Ministry of Cultures of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina; US Ambassador in United Nations – Richard Holbrooke; Bosnia and Herzegovina Ambassador to the UN – Mo Sacirbay; Austria UN Ambassador Dr. Gerhard Pfanzelter; the Dayton Peace Accords Bruce Hitchner, Chairman; UNHCR, Croatia Archbishop Franjo Cardinal Kuharic; Rudi Klausnitzer, Director "Theatre an der Wien"; Initiative against the War (Initiative Gegen den Krieg) – Muenster Germany; Causes Communes - Belgium; Through Heart to Peace, Dandelion Trust – London, Lifeline Network For Peace-Alexandra, among others.
* * *
Original Production Team and Cast:
Music: Dino Zonic
Libretto: Mustafa Tanovic, Dino Zonic, Rade Cikes-
Medan, Ann and Nancy Wilson (Heart), James Rounds
Narrations: Mustafa Tanovic, Rade Cikes-Medan
Choreographer: Royston Maldoom
Ass. Choreographer: Irena Raduka, Sinisa Hapac
Costumes: Ljerka Zmaic
Set Design: Mustafa Forto
Ass. Set Design: Jelana Korencic
Light Design: Reno Raos, Josip Bencic, Zeljko Lale
Sound: Remo Cartagine
Make Up: Mirjana Tepsic, Zeljka Babic, Jadranka Petricek
Stage Manager: Leonila Grundler
Ass. Productions Cast: Goran Karan, Julija Zlopasa, Jelena Radan, Vladimir Nothig, Jadranka Krajina
Graphic Design: Studio ‘Trio’, Jelena Korencic
Photography: Walter
Ass. Organisation: Fahro Kulenovic, Kreso Petricek
Production Advisors: Josip Magdic, Sead Alic
Marketing Directors: Bariz Zonic, Jasna Frajtic-Zrnec
Public Relations: Astrid Musura-Kaucic
Theatrical Director: Dubravka Zrncic-Kulenovic
Co-Producer: Mustafa Tanovic, Rade Cikes-Medan
Producer: Edi Matic, Bariz Zonic, Royston Maldoom, Mark Fraze
Producer, Director: Dino Zonic
Cast:
1. Goran Karan, Lead Solo Vocal
2. Jelena Radan, Lead Solo Voca
3. Julija Zlopasa, Lead Solo Vocal
4. Ante Grossi, Lead Solo Vocal
5. Alan Belusic, Lead Solo Vocal
6. Ivana Husar, Lead Solo Vocal
7. Marija Husar, Lead Solo Vocal
8. Baucic Ervin, Lead Solo Vocal
9. Nermin Puskar, Solo Vocal
10. Mirza Tetaric, Solo Vocal
11. Vladimir Nöthig, Solo Vocal
12. Helena Bastic, Solo Vocal
13. Jana Nemecek, Solo Vocal
14. Ljubica Kelcec-Suhovec, Solo Vocal
15. Sanja Didovic, Solo Vocal
16. Jadranka Krajina, Solo Vocal
17. Julie Harrity-Pauley, Solo Vocal
18. Franciska Gluhak, Solo Vocal
19. Darija Saltagic, Ensemble
20. Mirjana Foretic, Ensemble
21. Suzana Derk, Ensemble
22. Alan Gabor, Ensemble
23. Igor Hapac, Ensemble
24. Sinisa Hapac, Ensemble
25. Irena Raduka, Ensemble
26. Gorana Cehic, Ensemble
27. Karlo Starcevic, Ensemble
28. Mirsada Dizdarevic, Ensemble
29. Drago Lokas, Ensemble
30. Irena Malbasa, Ensemble
31. Ana Hanic, Ensemble
32. Marijana Delic, Ensemble
33. Amela Priganica, Ensemble
34. Haris Osmic, Ensemble
35. Natasa Petrovic, Ensemble
36. Manuela Bolta, Ensemble
37. Marko Pletikosa, Ensemble
38. Marina Matolic, Ensemble
39. Doris Dundovic, Ensemble
40. Neven Palacek, Ensemble
41. Goran Vasovic, Ensemble
42. Miki Trifunov, Actor/Prophet
43. Tarik Filipovic, Actor/Prophet