ZAGREB, 13 Aug (Hina) - The Croatian Opera Academy opened on Tuesday in Novi Marof with the premiere of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's opera The Magic Flute.

This year's Academy programme has brought together around 40 young opera artists from across the world - from the USA, Canada, and Argentina, through Sweden and South Korea, all the way to Syria - alongside local musicians from northern Croatia.

David Oštrek, founder and artistic director of the Croatian Opera Academy, an internationally acclaimed opera singer and soloist of the Berlin State Opera, and a native of the Novi Marof area, noted that this is the fourth edition of the Academy and the second to be held in Novi Marof.

Novi Marof mayor Siniša Jenkač emphasised the importance of hosting such artistic events in the city.

"We are proud that Novi Marof has been recognised as a host of top-level artistic programmes. This is not only an opportunity for our citizens to enjoy world-class performances, but also proof that smaller towns can be cultural centres," said Jenkač.