As Jakov Gotovac’s most successful work, the opera Ero the Joker has long been considered one of the finest Slavic comic operas. Since its premiere at the Croatian National Theatre in 1935, it has remained an almost constant presence in the repertoires of all Croatian national theatres.
Numerous reviews of productions on international stages describe Ero as a symbol of Croatian opera, bringing the songs and dances of its homeland to the world through an impeccably interwoven relationship between text and music. The chromatic musical scale, rich orchestration, lively rhythms, and continuously flowing melodic vocal lines are closely connected to the exceptional libretto by Milan Begović, abundant in humorous verse.
The main character of the opera and the central figure of the narrative is Mića, a young man from a wealthy rural family in the Dalmatian hinterland. While searching for a girl he could marry, he follows his mother’s advice and pretends to be a poor man. He introduces himself as Ero from another world, wishing to be certain that his chosen one, Đula, truly loves him.
Although he deceives many along the way, he is ultimately forgiven and wins the hand of the woman he loves. The opera’s vigorous ballet finale, with its frenzied tempo, stands as an ode to rural life, as the music—imbued with the ethos of the Dalmatian interior—swells to the forefront.
In the 2024/2025 season, Ivica Čikeš received the Vladimir Ruždjak Award for his role of Gazda Marko in the opera Ero s onoga svijeta (alongside his roles of Holofernes in Judita and Sarastro in The Magic Flute).
The eternal young man!— Vijenac
Ovations, cheering, elation, audiences on their feet… all this in honor of the 80th anniversary of Ero the Joker.— Jutarnji list
Twenty-five years on, this production—framed by stylised folkloric elements—has remained continuously in the repertoire and has been performed 146 times. Over the years, numerous soloists have appeared in the leading roles; some of them attended the ceremonial performance on 2 May and were presented to the audience…Do you like this personality?— Vijenac
