About Risto Savin
Lived 1859 – 1948 (aged 89). Risto Savin was a Yugoslav composer, military officer and military commander.
Risto Savin (Žalec, July 11, 1859 – Zagreb, December 15, 1948), born Fridrich Širca, was a Slovenian composer. He is one of the composers credited with creating a Slovenian national tradition of opera.
Risto Savin was a pseudonym adopted by Fridrich Širca, a general in the army. He studied composition with Robert Fuchs in Vienna and became notable as one of the composers of Slovenian-language opera. His opera Lepa Vida (Lovely Vida, 1907) is one of the Slovenian operas to show the influence of Wagner. The house where Risto Savin was born in Žalec is now a museum.
Works Operas Poslednja straža (Last Watch, 1898) Lepa Vida (Pretty Vida, 1907) Gosposvetski sen (1921) Matija Gubec (1923)
Ballets Plesna legendica (1918) Čajna punčka (The Tea Girl, 1922)
Songs "Pismo" (The Letter, Oton Župančič) "To je tako" (Oton Župančič) "Svetla noč" (Oton Župančič) "Marica" (Oton Župančič) "Ljubica, zdaj je dan" (Anton Aškerc)
Selected recordings Music for cello and piano Grieg, Savin, Martinu, Pucihar Nikolaj Sajko and pianist Miha Haas.
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Important facts
People in Risto Savin's life
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Contemporaries
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Risto Savin?
Slovenian composer (1859–1948)
When was Risto Savin born?
Risto Savin was born on 11 July 1859 in Žalec.
When did Risto Savin die?
Risto Savin died on 11 December 1948 in Zagreb.
What was Risto Savin's occupation?
Risto Savin was a composer, military officer and military commander.
What nationality was Risto Savin?
Risto Savin was Yugoslav.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Risto Savin. https://biography.guide/risto-savin/
MLA: "Risto Savin." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/risto-savin/.
Chicago: "Risto Savin." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/risto-savin/.
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