Vatroslav Lisinski (1819–1854) was the composer of the first Croatian opera, titled Ljubav i zloba (Love and Malice), and is considered the father of modern Croatian opera, solo song as well as choir and orchestral music. Love and Malice premiered in 1846, to the delight of Croatian patriots, earning Lisinski their donation for a professional development stint in Prague. It is there that Lisinski composed a number of works, including the biggest part of his second opera, Porin, which he completed in 1851 in Zagreb.

Vatroslav Lisinski, who wrote 145 pieces of music in total, died at the early age of 35, and his second opera, Porin, did not premier until 43 years after his death.

To honor the composer, Zagreb concert hall was named after him. The stage of the Vatroslav Lisinski concert hall, which has been open for almost five decades, has hosted many music, dance and theater performances by the best international and domestic soloists, orchestras and ensembles.  The stage of the Zagreb concert hall has thus been graced by the Vienna Philharmonic, the Israel Philharmonic, the Philharmonic Orchestra of Milan's La Scala and London Royal  Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Leonard Bernstein, Lovro pl. Matačić, Zubin Mehta, Lorin Maazel, Valery Gergiev and many other greats of the global music scene, enriching Zagreb's and Croatia's cultural life with their performances.