middle-class and at the same time opened a wider field to social satire. Brzak struck a new vein by introducing a strong historical element in some of the dramatic romances. A series of melodramatic pageants (tableaux) from the national life, richly garnished with songs and dances, was a characteristic feature of the domestic repertoire, conjuring up the idyllic picture of the native land and alleviating the homesickness. Then came the motion to limit the musical performances to theatrical plays with singing, like "Djido", based on the story written by Janko Veselinović, but adapted for the stage by Brzak, with music by Slovenian composer Davorin Jenko, then living in Belgrade. The Serbian Singspiel approached the "singspiel" style of the German composer Carl Maria von Weber, though the Serbian storyline was influenced by the Russian school of the time. He is also known for shortening a popular patriotic song Oj Srbijo, mila mati. Brzak died in Belgrade on the 4th of March 1905. He was awarded Order of Osmanieh, Bulgarian Order For Civil Merit, Order of Prince Danilo I, Order of Saint Sava, Order of the White Eagle and Order of the Cross of Takovo. References Sources Jovan Skerlić, Istorija nove srpske književnosti, Belgrade, 1914 and 1921 Serbian writers Serbian dramatists and playwrights Serbian translators Serbian male poets 1851 births 1905 deaths 19th-century translators