Milan Pihler, sometime referred to as Milan Pichler, was born in Osijek, where he had his first choir performances as a high school student.
After the end of the First World War he was persuaded to audition for the Opera, and was hired on January 1, 1919 only to debut on 28 February 1919 in Puccini’s La Bohème. In 1926, he included Nikola Šubić Zrinski Opera in his repertoire, which would become his quintessential role.
In 1927 he became an Opera member of the Belgrade National Theatre. From 1941 to 1945 he was a member of the Opera at the Croatian State Theatre in Zagreb. In 1946 he became a member of the newly founded Rijeka Opera ensemble and remained a member until his retirement. The most valuable part of Pihler’s artistic life began right here on 2 November 1946 under the direction of Boris Papandopulo who conducted the Nikola Šubić Zrinski opera in which Pihler sang.
He became the leading baritone voice, and in 1962 after 43 years of singing, 2779 operas and 1256 concert performances, he said goodbye to the audience with the 130th performance of his favourite role of this Siget hero.
Association of Friends of the Opera in Rijeka was named after Pihler.
Grave location: KOZALA (H-7-2, niches)