Zorica Kondža is a Croatian pop-folk singer. She is best known for her soprano vocal range, which she displayed as the lead vocalist for the 1980s pop-folk music act Stijene. Since 1981, she had participated in most of the Split Festivals until 2014, which she had won 7 times. Other than the Split festivals, she also took part in various other jamborees in Croatia, such as the Zadarfest, Dora and Mesam. She began her solo career in 1984, which gained her success in Croatia and neighbouring countries.
In the late 1970s she was provided backing vocals for many famous singers from Split, such as Oliver Dragojević and Mišo Kovač. In 1981, she began performing as the lead vocalist for various Dalmatian groups, such as Pirati, Novi Dani, More, and ST. Her most notable project Stijene gained her notoriety in Croatia. The group was based in Klis, where they recorded 4 albums, Jedanaest i petnaest, Balkanska korida, and Zlatna kolekcija. In 1981, the band performed on the Split Festival, with the song Ja sam more, ti si rijeka. Even though the song wasn't successful on the contest itself, they song became a hit in the country. It was in 1982 when Stijene won the competition with their most popular songIma jedan svijet. Their winning song outshined the rest of their repertoire and it became their signature song.
Split Festival, Mesam, Jugovizija, Dora and other ventures (1984–1993)
Kondža introduced herself as a single performer on yet another Split Festival in 1984, with the song Nakon dugih milja. The same year, she performed with the children's choir Sredlice on the Split Festival with the song Djevojka s kapok na glavim. In 1985, she won the Split Festival with the song Pokora, and reached 13th place on Mesam with the song Dovoljna je ljubav. At the time she started collaborating with composer Zdenko Runjić. The following year she achieved 1st place yet again with Vrijeme ljubavi. In 1989, for the composition of Daj mi sunca she won the award for the best interpretation. In 1990, alongside her colleague Oliver Dragojević, Kondža performed Sreca je tamo gdje si ti on Jugovizija, where the duo reached 3rd place. The next year Kondža and Dragojević also provided vocals for the Croatian patriotic songMoja domovina, alongside other musicians and recording artists of Croatian descent.
Recent years (1993-present)
Kondža is still active as a performer, and in 2015, released the pop-folk song Jednom ce svanuti dan. In 2017, she was a guest judge on an episode of Tvoje lice zvuči poznato.
Music style
Kondža is widely known for her vocal abilities and soprano range. Her music is heavily influenced by Dalmatian folk music, thus she frequently sings in the Dalmatian dialect.
Private life
Kondža married Joško Banov and has three sons. She resides in Split.
Festivals
Split Festival
1981. – "Ja sam more, ti si rijeka"
1982. – "Ima jedan svijet" – 1st place
1984. – "Nakon dugih milja"
1984. – "Djevojke s kapom na glavi"
1985. – "Pokora" – 1st place
1985. – "Slobodo naša"
1986. – "Vrijeme ljubavi" – 1st place
1986. – "Dodji kao prijatelj"
1986. – "Grišnica"
1988. – "Zbog tvoje ljubavi"
1988. – "Oda"
1989. – "Daj mi sunca" – Award for best interpretation
