Along the establishment of a permanent Opera ensemble in Zagreb in 1870, a permanent Opera chorus was founded during the mandate of Ivan noble Zajc. At the time the Chorus numbered 13 male and 13 female singers, while today it has 33 female and 33 male members. From the very beginnings, the Chorus participated in operas and operettas that were performed on the home stage but also in the Small Theatre in Tuškanac.
Even though the Opera incurred several interruptions in its existence, the repertoire was maintained with occasional appearances, so this enabled the development of the Opera Chorus.
Over the decades, the Chorus participated in numerous opera performances that make up the huge opus that consists of almost all world and local opera works and many Croatian world opening nights. The Chorus had demonstrated its quality on numerous world tours and guest appearances from Tokyo to Berlin and was especially honoured with the invitation of Herbert von Karajan to be the permanent Chorus for one Opera season in Salzburg.
The Chorus of the Croatian National Theatre on several occasions, besides the tours and appearances with the national Opera, independently performed in France (Montpelier, Arles, Nancy) and Italy, while some individual members were also invited as guest artists in many European countries.