Opus (Yugoslav band)

Opus
The last Opus lineup, in 1979, from left to right: Zoran Dašić, Dragan Baletić, Vidoja Božinović, Miodrag Okrugić, Slobodan Orlić, Vladan Dokić
Background information
Origin	Belgrade, Serbia, Yugoslavia
Genres	Progressive rock, symphonic rock
Years active	1973 – 1974 1975 1977 – 1979
Labels	Jugoton, Diskos
Associated acts	YU Grupa, Džentlmeni, Tako, Plamenih 5, Siluete, Dah, Pop Mašina, Crni Biseri, Rok Mašina, Riblja Čorba, Legende
Past members	Miodrag Okrugić Miodrag Kostić Dušan Ćućuz Slobodan Orlić Ljubomir Jerković Dušan Prelević Želimir Vasić Milan Matić Vladan Dokić Zoran Dašić Vidoja Božinović

Opus (Serbian Cyrillic: Опус) was a Yugoslav progressive rock band from Belgrade.

The band was formed in Belgrade in 1973 by Miodrag "Mive" Okrugić (a former YU Grupa member, keyboards), Miodrag "Bata" Kostić (a former Terusi and YU Grupa member, guitar) and Dušan Ćućuz (a former Džentlmeni member, bass guitar). The band chose their name after the song "Opus No. 1", which was written by Okrugić's during his work with YU Grupa. The song was often performed by YU Grupa, but never recorded. However, soon after it was formed, Opus disbanded. Soon after, Ćućuz formed the symphonic rock band Tako.

In 1975, Okrugić reformed Opus. The new lineup featured Slobodan Orlić (a former Plamenih 5, Siluete, Bitnici and Moira member, bass guitar), Ljubomir Jerković (drums) and Dušan Prelević (a former Korni Grupa member, vocals). This lineup released the album Opus 1. The album, released in luxurious sleeve designed by Dragan S. Stefanović, featured symphonic rock-oriented songs. The album featured "Opus No. 1", renamed to "Opus \ Žena tame" ("Opus \ Woman of Darkness"), the songs "Dolina bisera" ("Valley of Pearls") and "Viđenje po Grigu" ("Seeing by Grieg"), released on the 7" single, and the song "Memento Mori", which featured Dah member Zlatko Manojlović on vocals. However, the album was not well received, as the critics expected more from the band on the basis of their live performances, and Opus disbanded once again.