This love story which is a part of the Slovenian literature heritage saw its musical adaptation this year. The musical represented the official conclusion of the 62nd Ljubljana Festival. And so Slovenia got its very own musical.

The script is based on the original love story written by Ivan Tavčar, but it does not skip the opportunity to connect to present reality. The musical - theatre adaptation of Tavčar's literary work was directed by Vojko Anzeljc, music was written by Matjaž Vlašič, the author of libretto and dramatic text is Janez Usenik, the orchestrator is Anže Rozman, and the choreographer Miha Krušič. The lead role of Janez is played by Matjaž Robavs, opera soloist, music teacher and member of the Eroika trio, shared by Domen Križaj, student of solo singing, while the character of Meta is performed by a singer Nina Pušlar and actress Maja Martina Merljak. Other roles are performed by Jure Ivanušič (Danijel), Alenka Kozolc Gregurić and Ana Grasselli (Liza), Marjan Bunič and Damijan Perne (Boštjan), Lucija Grm (Barbara) and others.

Focus on love for the motherland
The Musical Blossom in the Fall is focused on love of all that is Slovenian. At the same time it should be noted that this Ivan Tavčar's literary work does not only represent an idealisation of the rural population as the protector of Slovenian language and tradition, and praise to an unspoiled nature, but it can also be considered as a kind of a call to raise the national consciousness, a call to reconciliation and integration of Slovenians. In 1917, when the story was published, the future of the Slovenian territory was very uncertain due to the World War I and the decline of the centuries long rule of the Habsburgs. At that period, Slovenians probably had their first big chance to become united in their own country. In this regard, Ivan Tavčar was a visionary and a great dreamer, whose dream came true much later.

The novel Blossom in the Fall is also important from an ethnological point of view. The novel, and the musical as well, provide a detailed description of the farm chores, courting, dancing and singing, as well as Slovenian national identification. Besides being a writer, Ivan Tavčar was also the mayor of Ljubljana and a politician. He loved Slovenian language. As a member of the Provincial Assembly of Carniola, he was known to be a clear and confident speaker. As a provincial deputy, he promoted the public use of the Slovenian language. Already in 1893, when he was a deputy, he raised the question on the public use of Slovenian language. He prepared a proposal on the Slovenian inscriptions on provincial institutions and offices. He believed that German inscriptions were not necessary. He supported the use of the Slovenian language in schools, courts and in literature.

Love is an inspiration to all of us
The musical begins with a mid-autumn waltz. The first scene of the musical starts with three ladies standing in front of the city council, by the Dragon Bridge and the Ljubljana Castle in the background, and an elderly man sitting in front of them on a bench. "Look at the doctor, he is waddling around all alone again. He is sitting on the money, unwilling to share it with anybody" sings a choir of young ladies who are strutting over the old man. Everybody who knows the story, can recognize Janez in the old man. Before Janez begins telling his story, he asks the ladies: "Would you really love your husbands if they didn't have any money?" Then the story begins. Janez talks about how his doctor advised him to withdraw to the countryside for a while due to his poor health. He decides to visit his cousin Boštjan, a farmer from Jelovo brdo under Blegoš. Once there, he falls in love with Meta, whom he last saw when she was just a young child and who grew up into a beautiful young woman. They fall in love with each other but they both deny it. They are forced apart due to his profession as a lawyer, but they can't stop thinking of each other. The cousin's servant Daniel has a solution to the problem. He advises Janez to buy the Mlačan farm in Jelovo brdo and move there. Janez buys it and communicates the news to the landlords. When Janez tells Meta that he wants to marry her, her weak heart cannot bear such happiness and she passes away. Janez ends up never getting married, and Meta remains the love of his life. The story ends with the old man talking to the city ladies and with an emotional call upon everybody to love the Slovenian land.

A new feature, introduced in the musical in contrast to the film version, is the circularity of the story. We meet the character of Janez again at the end of the show when he talks with the city ladies and emotionally calls upon everybody to love the Slovenian land. When the ladies ask him if he might be idealising Meta, Janez sharply interrupts them that he does not want to talk about that, because he does not want to spoil his memory of Meta.

The character of Meta in the musical is a shy, but nevertheless cheerful and genuine young woman with a beautiful heart, capable of pure love. She was so overwhelmed by love that she died of it. Janez respects her and he himself is shown as a generous man who thinks that in a woman hard work and honesty are more important than education, popularity or status. He is willing to change his way of life for Meta and after her death he keeps her in loving memory, as someone who is irreplaceable.

The original songs, choreography and costume design
The musical consists of more than 20 songs, of which the majority are copyright, brand new songs, while some were taken from the treasury of Slovenian folk music by the creative team. 18 artists performed these songs accompanied by the symphony orchestra under the baton of Simon Dvoršak. These songs include the following: What is love, Danijel's world, The farmer is the king, The fox and his wife, The most beautiful farm, She did not pass away and others. Costumes were designed by Vesna Mirtelj. She added a modern touch to the traditional clothing from the beginning of the 20th century. Miha Krušič, the choreographer, connected the Slovenian folk dances with today's time. One of the most beautiful dances in the show is the one that represents the reapers and the power of love.

Blossom in the Fall is the first Slovenian musical. The first performance as well as subsequent performances, which were all sold out, prove that Ivan Tavčar's story directed by Vojko Anzeljc is an excellent cultural experience. Blossom in the Fall is a show that is not to be missed.

Tanja Glogovčan, SINFO