Premiered at the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb in 1935, the opera "Ero the Joker" was well-received right from the beginning of its stage life, and isolated, skeptical reviews from experts quickly proved to be entirely misguided judgments. Some musical motifs, especially the final dance, "Što na nebu sja visoko," are often used and quoted.
The feat of a rich peasant, Mićo, disguising himself to test the character and loyalty of the girl he loves unfolds in a rich series of comedic situations and twists. The opera is filled with beautiful folk tunes skillfully incorporated into the work by Gotovac, showcasing his mastery. "Ero the Joker" pulsates with fresh, vibrant stage life; in the opera, real people with genuine virtues and flaws come to life. Devoid of sentimentality and full of sparkling satire, the opera stands as one of the finest works in Slavic operatic literature.