Orson Welles Studio

RECORD WITH THE ZAGREB SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AT THE HISTORIC ORSON WELLES STUDIO AT JADRAN FILM

The Zagreb Symphony Orchestra is proud to begin a new era of recording in the historic Orson Welles Studio at Jadran Film—Croatia’s legendary film complex whose history is inseparable from some of the most remarkable moments of European cinema. This remarkable space, also known as Studio 3 (tonski studio), is internationally recognized as the place where Orson Welles created The Trial (1962), one of his most acclaimed films and the most iconic international production ever shot in Zagreb.

Founded in 1946, Jadran Film grew into one of Central Europe’s most significant film complexes between the 1960s and 1980s, hosting more than 145 international co-productions, over 120 Yugoslav films, and contributing to two Academy Award–winning films (The Tin Drum, 1979; Sophie’s Choice, 1982). Its studio spaces and sound stages have welcomed artists such as Anthony Perkins, Jeanne Moreau, Romy Schneider, Meryl Streep, and Peter Ustinov.

Equally important is Jadran Film’s musical heritage. Studio 3 (Tonski Studio), historically a hub for orchestral scoring and sound recording, was where the Jadran Film Symphony Orchestra recorded film scores in the 1970s, including music by Alfi Kabiljo, one of the most important film composers in Croatia and the former Yugoslavia. This studio brought cinematic storytelling and orchestral performance together, shaping the sound of an entire era of Croatian and international film.

By returning orchestral music to this storied space, the Zagreb Symphony Orchestra revives a long-standing connection between orchestral performance and the region’s film heritage, continuing a tradition of musical excellence that shaped countless productions.

Today, the studio offers a distinctive and inspiring environment for contemporary orchestral recording and scoring projects—whether for film, symphonic works, or cross-genre compositions. Working in this historic space allows the Zagreb Symphony Orchestra to combine world-class musicianship with a setting rich in artistic and cinematic legacy, providing a unique and highly professional experience for any recording project.