Josip Hatze

Who was Josip Hatze?

Joseph Hatze was one of the first and most prominent Croatian composers in the Mediterranean style in the first half of last century.

Hatze was born in Split to a family of respected craftsmen from Split. During school he was absorbed with musical events, especially with sacred music and folk songs. Accidentally discovering his exceptional musicality, and with family support, he attended all the performances in the newly opened Municipal Theater in Split. Strong experience of orchestral and choir performances in the Split theater encouraged the 16-year-old Hatze to sing at Chapel Mass. During that time he wrote "Misa a Kapela", which was performed with great success. Later other Dalmatian school choirs started performing his musical work.

He completed his studies in composition in 1902 at the Rossini Conservatory in Pesaro with the great operatic composer Pietro Mascagni. Returning home to Split, he worked as a choir teacher at the Central Technical School in Split and was the choirmaster at the choral society Zvonimir.

During World War I, he was on the front, away from home, and did not know that his beloved wife Gilda had died of the Spanish flu. Gilda was from the patrician Marulić family. Afterwards he was the choirmaster of the choral society Guslar.