The motto of the jubilee 10th edition of the Janáček Brno festival is “Roots” – and that is precisely where the unique project by the Janáček Opera NdB is heading. We cordially invite you to the public piano dress rehearsal of the original version of the opera Šárka from 1887–1888. To celebrate the 10th edition of the festival, we are offering tickets for this extraordinary event for a symbolic price of 10 CZK.



A return to the very beginning


Šárka represents Leoš Janáček’s first step into the realm of opera creation. We will present the original version, created solely as a piano reduction to the libretto by Julius Zeyer, in the atmosphere of Brno’s Besední dům – a place inextricably linked with Janáček’s work. Director Jiří Heřman has chosen an unusual site-specific concept: during the performance, the audience will move directly through the spaces of Besední dům, finding themselves in the middle of a dramatic conflict between men and women.




An extraordinary cast


The piano part will be performed by the outstanding British pianist Julius Drake, well known to the festival audience as a brilliant interpreter of Janáček’s music. Under the baton of Dominik Pernica and directed by Jiří Heřman, Eliška Gattringerová (Šárka), Nicky Spence (Ctirad), Daniel Kfelíř (Přemysl), Ondřej Koplík (Lumír) and the Chorus of the Janáček Opera NdB will take the stage. Come take a peek behind the scenes of the creative process and experience the youthful energy and romantic gem of Janáček’s debut in a truly unique space!




Practical event information:


Date and time: 28 August 2026 at 18:00


Venue: Besední dům, Brno


Admission: 10 CZK (tickets can be purchased online or at the NdB box offices) LINK HERE




Notice for visitors: The performance takes a site-specific form – the audience moves through the spaces of Besední dům during the evening. Four places are reserved for persons with reduced mobility (early booking is recommended).




Production team and cast:


Music preparation and conductor: Dominik Pernica Stage director: Jiří Heřman


Dramaturgy: Patricie Částková


Piano: Julius Drake


Set design: Tomáš Rusín | Costumes: Zuzana Štefunková Rusínová | Chorus master: Martin Buchta


Cast: Eliška Gattringerová, Nicky Spence, Daniel Kfelíř, Ondřej Koplík, Chorus of the Janáček Opera NdB