The Opera of the CNT in Zagreb Presented “Ero the Joker” to Maribor Audiences and Received a Several-Minute OvationOpera — 02. October 2026.
The Opera of the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb performed on 1 October at the Slovenian National Theatre in Maribor with Jakov Gotovac’s Ero the Joker, the most frequently performed Croatian national opera, directed by Krešimir Dolenčić and conducted by Srba Dinić.
The guest performance was realised in cooperation between two national ensembles – the Opera of the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb and LADO – the National Folk Dance Ensemble of Croatia – which jointly presented the richness of Croatia’s operatic heritage to Slovenian audiences.
National Principals Ivica Čikeš as Gazda Marko, Dubravka Šeparović Mušović as Doma and Valentina Fijačko Kobić as Đula appeared in the leading roles. They were joined by Stjepan Franetović as Mića / Ero the Joker, Ljubomir Puškarić as Mlinar Sima, Ana Zebić Kostel as Čobanče and Mario Bokun as Momče.
The joint performance by the CNT Opera soloists, Orchestra and Chorus and the LADO artists brought Maribor audiences the opera’s characteristic joyful energy, rhythmic vitality and visual splendour. LADO’s participation particularly highlighted its folkloric dimension, underscoring the value of cooperation between national ensembles in preserving and presenting Croatia’s artistic heritage.
