Events
The music of Bizet’s *Carmen* embodies both French *esprit* and Spanish passion. After all, who isn’t familiar with its immortal operatic hits—the famous Habanera, or the aria of the toreador Escamillo? But what if there is something more to this story about the fickle nature of love?
A Step Behind the Curtain with an Opera Orchestra
Starring the Orchestra of the Janáček Opera of the National Theatre Brno (NdB)!
During an opera performance, the orchestra is tucked away in the "pit." Now, we have a unique opportunity to experience the orchestra on its own and discover just how vital a role it plays in an opera production. You might even get the chance to try your hand at conducting or playing along!
Get an up-close look at the world of opera! Join us for a "Step Behind the Curtain." This program is designed for the curious—both young and old—who want to learn something new about the world of opera.
A 70-minute interactive, adventurous, and—above all—fun journey into the heart of operatic music.
This interactive educational program is recommended for primary school students (ages 6–11).
Since participants will be directly involved in the program, there is no need to follow a formal theater dress code.
A Step Behind the Curtain with an Opera Orchestra
Starring the Orchestra of the Janáček Opera of the National Theatre Brno (NdB)!
During an opera performance, the orchestra is tucked away in the "pit." Now, we have a unique opportunity to experience the orchestra on its own and discover just how vital a role it plays in an opera production. You might even get the chance to try your hand at conducting or playing along!
Get an up-close look at the world of opera! Join us for a "Step Behind the Curtain." This program is designed for the curious—both young and old—who want to learn something new about the world of opera.
A 70-minute interactive, adventurous, and—above all—fun journey into the heart of operatic music.
This interactive educational program is recommended for primary school students (ages 6–11).
Since participants will be directly involved in the program, there is no need to follow a formal theater dress code.
ODE TO PLUTONIUM & AMELIA
PHILIP GLASS Symphony No. 6 “Ode to Plutonium” for Soprano and Orchestra
LAURIE ANDERSON Amelia
Iva Bittová, vocals (Glass)
Laurie Anderson, vocals, violin, electronics
Brno Philharmonic
Conductor: Dennis Russell Davies
The year 2026 will mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of Allen Ginsberg—the most prominent figure of the Beat Generation of poets—while 2027 will mark 30 years since his passing. In late January 2027, Philip Glass will celebrate his 90th birthday, followed by Laurie Anderson’s 80th birthday in June of the same year. Furthermore, 2027 marks 120 years since the birth of aviator Amelia Earhart and 90 years since her death. Yet, these anniversaries are not the primary focus of this concert…
NdB 2: Silence Full of People / At Every End of Light, There Is a Tunnel
Where does solitude end and closeness begin? And how many of the boundaries that limit us have we created ourselves?
Program 9 from the NdB2 junior ballet ensemble presents two new choreographies that turn their focus toward the individual—exploring both their inner world and their relationships with others. In *Silence Full of People* (*Ticho plné lidí*), Klaudie Lakomá examines various forms of solitude—ranging from the feeling of being alone in a crowd and isolation, to the moment when solitude can become a space for self-discovery. In *At Every End of Light There Is a Tunnel* (*Na každém konci světla je tunel*), Marek Svobodník ventures beyond the boundaries we construct in our lives—boundaries that we eventually begin to perceive even in places where, in reality, none existed at all.
WHEN THE TEACHER WHISTLES
Martina Matušínská – flute
Karolína Korcová – flute
Trio JuMaJu:
Judita Francová, Julie Juříčková, and Marie Kumpoštová
Trio Elegance:
Emma Kejdová, Zuzana Kýrová, and Ella Apolena-Ada Wright
Hosted by Kristýna Drášilová and Magdalena Dostálová
Do you have to sit quietly at a concert? Are you not allowed to sing or laugh? And is classical music only for adults? That’s certainly not the case here!
Our "Family Chamber Afternoons" invite children aged 3–8 and their parents to experience music in a way that is playful, open, and full of discovery. The musicians will draw you right into the action—you can ask questions, join in with the singing, move to the rhythm, or simply enjoy the music in your own way.
Get ready for a concert free from unnecessary rules or self-consciousness. Music that brings people together and entertains—both the little ones and the grown-ups!
WHEN THE TEACHER WHISTLES
Martina Matušínská – flute
Karolína Korcová – flute
Trio JuMaJu:
Judita Francová, Julie Juříčková, and Marie Kumpoštová
Trio Elegance:
Emma Kejdová, Zuzana Kýrová, and Ella Apolena-Ada Wright
Hosted by Kristýna Drášilová and Magdalena Dostálová
Do you have to sit quietly at a concert? Are you not allowed to sing or laugh? And is classical music only for adults? That’s certainly not the case here!
Our "Family Chamber Afternoons" invite children aged 3–8 and their parents to experience music in a way that is playful, open, and full of discovery. The musicians will draw you right into the action—you can ask questions, join in with the singing, move to the rhythm, or simply enjoy the music in your own way.
Get ready for a concert free from unnecessary rules or self-consciousness. Music that brings people together and entertains—both the little ones and the grown-ups!
The personality and work of Franz Kafka stimulate and provoke creative responses from artists across many genres, literary scholars, and experts, as well as from the general reading public—and this extends well beyond the period of heightened interest surrounding the centenary of the author’s death.
His work has garnered immense popularity and acclaim; his stories, replete with absurdity and existential questions, have left their mark on both modern literature and film. Today, Kafka is regarded as one of the most significant writers of the 20th century, and his life and work remain a source of inspiration and a subject of inquiry for generations of readers, literary critics, and artists across various disciplines.
The Marriage of Figaro
Without boundaries, or beyond them? How long will the true love between Rosina and Almaviva—meant to last forever—actually endure? And at what point does an innocent flirtation with Cherubino turn into something far more serious? Where, in fact, do the boundaries lie in human relationships?
Following the successful production of Handel’s *Alcina*, we once again join director Jiří Heřman to explore the beauty of Mozart’s music—specifically an opera that enjoys enduring popularity the world over. And little wonder: beyond its brilliant, sparkling score—which sweeps you along in a relentless flow, much like a mountain stream—*The Marriage of Figaro* boasts a libretto with the depth and quality of a stage play. This is hardly surprising, given that Da Ponte based his work on the play of the same name by the distinguished French dramatist Pierre de Beaumarchais.
Jana Kirschner – Evening of the Three Kings
Jana Kirschner invites you to a unique evening of music, accompanied by the superb Robert Balzar Trio, titled *Večer Tříkrálový* (Twelfth Night). This New Year’s concert blends the power of emotion and music, offering the audience a glimpse into the stories behind songs that have significantly shaped the Slovak music scene for decades.
The concert will take place in the heart of the historic Old Market Hall (*Stará tržnica*), where the stage will be positioned right in the center—bringing the performance within arm’s reach of the audience.
The Magical World of Opera – A Program for Kindergartens
During this playful workshop, children will be introduced to concepts related to opera and theater, as well as various theatrical professions, and will have the chance to try on authentic stage costumes. The program also includes a short tour of the Janáček Theatre, offering a glimpse behind the scenes and revealing areas not typically accessible to the general audience. A special highlight is a meeting with an opera singer, who will show the children how she prepares for a performance and sing live excerpts from operas for them.
Coco Chanel
A story of visionary creativity that transformed the way women dress. Coco Chanel embodies fearlessness, drive, and a willingness to take risks—as well as impeccable taste, a distinct philosophy, and an iconic brand. This contemporary ballet by Mário Radačovský explores the life of a woman who fundamentally shaped the world of fashion.
The second premiere of the 2023/2024 season—arriving in the spring—marks the culmination of Mário Radačovský’s ten-year tenure as Artistic Director of the NdB Ballet company. As a choreographer, he has frequently gravitated toward full-length works inspired by the lives and creative legacies of major figures in human cultural history—notable examples include his ballets *Warhol*, *Beethoven*, and *Michelangelo*.
ADAM NEELY & LAU NOAH: THE WAY UNDER
Lau Noah – guitar, vocals
Adam Neely – bass guitar
When a virtuoso bassist—renowned as a YouTuber for deconstructing the most complex musical concepts—joins forces with a Catalan singer-songwriter whose voice and guitar playing seem to belong to another universe, the result is bound to be extraordinary. The musical project The Way Under, created by Adam Neely and Lau Noah, represents a fascinating intersection of the intellectual depth of modern jazz and the raw emotion of independent folk.
JANUARY NUMBER ONES
BŘETISLAV BAKALA Scherzo for Chamber Orchestra
BOHUSLAV MARTINŮ Piano Concerto No. 1 in D Major, H 149
FELIX MENDELSSOHN BARTHOLDY Symphony No. 1 in C Minor, Op. 11
Marek Kozák, piano
Brno Philharmonic
Conductor: Robert Kružík
JANUARY NUMBER ONES
BŘETISLAV BAKALA Scherzo for Chamber Orchestra
BOHUSLAV MARTINŮ Piano Concerto No. 1 in D Major, H 149
FELIX MENDELSSOHN BARTHOLDY Symphony No. 1 in C Minor, Op. 11
Marek Kozák, piano
Brno Philharmonic
Conductor: Robert Kružík
30TH BRNO PHILHARMONIC REPRESENTATIVE BALL
Performing for dancing and listening:
Brno Philharmonic, conducted by Dennis Russell Davies
Salon Orchestra Brno, Artistic Director František Školař
Jazz Archiv, Artistic Director Jaroslav Studénka
Cimbal Classic, Artistic Director Dalibor Štrunc
IN THE ORCHESTRA: HEARING BRNO
WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART Symphony No. 6 in F major, K. 43 (3rd movement – Minuet), Symphony No. 7 in D major, K. 45 (4th movement – Finale)
LEOŠ JANÁČEK Sinfonietta (4th movement – Allegretto)
GUSTAV MAHLER Blumine (excerpt)
SERGEI PROKOFIEV Masks, from the ballet Romeo and Juliet
BOHUSLAV MARTINŮ Dance of the Cloud, from the ballet Who Is the Most Powerful in the World?, H 133
VÍTĚZSLAVA KAPRÁLOVÁ Suita rustica (1st movement – Allegro rustico)
JAN NOVÁK Elegantiae tripudiorum, symphonia minore (3rd movement – Allegro molto)
ERICH WOLFGANG KORNGOLD The Adventures of Robin Hood (Part 1 of the film score suite)
JAROSLAV JEŽEK Bugatti Step
Brno Philharmonic
Conductor: Dominik Pernica
Presented by: Kristýna Drášilová and Vítězslav Mikeš
Script: Kristýna Drášilová
IN THE ORCHESTRA: HEARING BRNO
WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART Symphony No. 6 in F major, K. 43 (3rd movement – Minuet), Symphony No. 7 in D major, K. 45 (4th movement – Finale)
LEOŠ JANÁČEK Sinfonietta (4th movement – Allegretto)
GUSTAV MAHLER Blumine (excerpt)
SERGEI PROKOFIEV Masks, from the ballet Romeo and Juliet
BOHUSLAV MARTINŮ Dance of the Cloud, from the ballet Who Is the Most Powerful in the World?, H 133
VÍTĚZSLAVA KAPRÁLOVÁ Suita rustica (1st movement – Allegro rustico)
JAN NOVÁK Elegantiae tripudiorum, symphonia minore (3rd movement – Allegro molto)
ERICH WOLFGANG KORNGOLD The Adventures of Robin Hood (Part 1 of the film score suite)
JAROSLAV JEŽEK Bugatti Step
Brno Philharmonic
Conductor: Dominik Pernica
Presented by: Kristýna Drášilová and Vítězslav Mikeš
Script: Kristýna Drášilová
