This year, the Split Summer Festival marks the 130th anniversary of the birth of two significant artistic figures, Jakov Gotovac and Ivo Tijardović. To honour this occasion, the program includes the most famous Croatian opera, Ero the Joker. Once again, Ero returns to his natural setting—Vrlika, the birthplace of Milan Begović, whose libretto inspired Gotovac to compose the opera.

The baton will be taken up by maestro Robert Homen, with direction by Krešimir Dolenčić. Ero the Joker will be performed this summer on August 2nd and 6th in Vrlika. Tickets for the first performance are available through the Vrlika Tourist Board, while tickets for the second show can be purchased at the Theatre box office or online. For the August 6th performance, an additional ticket can be bought for organised transport to and from the venue.

The artistic ensemble includes the Choir and Orchestra of the Croatian National Theatre Split, along with the Jedinstvo Folklore Ensemble. The role of Mića is played by Martin Sušnik, his love, Đula, is sung by Antonija Teskera, and other roles include Mate Akrap as Marko, Ivona Bosančić Lasić as Doma, Marko Lasić as the Miller Sima, and Tea Požgaj as the Shepherdess.

Since its world premiere at the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb on October 2, 1935, the opera has been performed hundreds of times, translated into nine languages, and staged on over eighty European stages. With its humour, clarity of expression, and artistic richness, Ero the Joker evokes admiration and pride. A work whose natural setting is the Croatian village continues to captivate audiences on the world’s theatrical stages. Jakov Gotovac’s music is infused with the richness of folk songs, rhythms, and melodies. At the same time, the final scene—the Vrlika kolo (traditional dance)—celebrates the beauty of movement, song, and costume, portraying a vivid image of the Croatian national soul.