Eleonora Duse Started her Career in Zadar

The building of the Croatian National Theatre was erected in 1783, then known as Teatro Nobile. It was the most important opera house in Croatia in the 19^th century. For example, the immortal play The Barber of Seville by Rossini, was performed on this stage just two years after its premiere in 1818. Also, in this theatre in 1863, the renowned Italian actress Elenora Duse saw the stage lights for the first time. As a five-year-old little girl at the time, she played the part of little Cosette in Hugo's Les Misérables.