St. Donatus Musical EveningsVečeri u Svetog Donata

The Musical Evenings at St Donatus is a classical music festival held every summer in Zadar since 1961 1. It takes place in the 9th-century St. Donatus Church and other historic venues in the old town, featuring Croatian and international ensembles of early and classical music 2. Founded by local maestro Pavle Dešpalj, the festival has promoted music education and cultural heritage for over six decades. It offers chamber concerts, orchestral performances, and organ recitals, often highlighting Croatian composers. Audiences enjoy music in an ancient setting under the stars, making it a cultural showcase of Dalmatia’s musical legacy.

This festival reflects the strong tradition of classical music in Zadar, the birthplace of conductor Pavle Dešpalj. Locals are proud of the unique venue (the old Romanesque church of St. Donatus) and the festival’s high artistic standards. It helped establish Zadar as a cultural center. The involvement of the city’s music school, church institutions, and the Zadar Concert Office shows deep local embedding – city halls and chapels across Dalmatia also host related concerts in this season.