Dear customer, we are sorry but your browser doesn't support all necessary features for good site view. Please switch to one of the modern browsers (Chrome, Safari, Firefox).
Don HrabalDon Hrabal
Opera

Don Hrabal

Miloš Orson Štědroň

An opera portrayal of Bohumil Hrabal, dreamer and seeker of beauty in the everyday

The New Stage
Suitable for graduation
English surtitles

Basic information

Venue

The New Stage

Approximate running time

1 hour 10 minutes, no intermission

Language

In Czech, surtitles in Czech, English

Premiere

December 14, 2017

The opera Don Hrabal depicts the turbulent life of the great and highly singular Czech author, from his childhood to the moment before he voluntarily brought it to an end by jumping from a hospital window. Admirers of Bohumil Hrabal’s work and philosophy of life are now afforded the opportunity to meet the brilliant storyteller and witty commentator as an opera character!

Cast

  • 2023-2024
  • 2024-2025

Creatives

Musical preparation
Jan Chalupecký
Stage director
Linda Keprtová
Motion cooperation
Ladislava Košíková
Light design
Daniel Tesař
Chorus master
Pavel Vaněk
Dramaturgy
Ondřej Hučín

About

The National Theatre Chorus and Orchestra

In the company of the three women who played crucial roles in his life, Hrabal lays bare his innermost feelings, freely guiding us through them against the backdrop of the history of the second half of the 20th century. Assisting him on his voyage is a chorus of his beloved cats and a flock of pigeons, with the latter bearing witness to his very final moments before his fall from the window of the Bulovka hospital in Prague. The over one hour long piece combines a variety of musical styles and rhythms, ranging from jazz, pop and dance to the modern opera idiom. The story blends elements of everydayness with absurdity and black humour.

Besides composing, the contemporary Czech artist Miloš Orson Štědroň also writes texts which he sets to music, with the fruit of his work being remarkable cross–genre music-theatre projects. He has paid systematic attention to distinguished Czech figures (Ivan Blatný, Jaroslav Hašek, František Kupka, Josef Gočár, Jan Hus, Johann Gregor Mendel, Václav Havel, Jan Zábrana, Josef Škvorecký). Don Hrabal is Orson’s second opera, following A Human Tragicomedy, inspired by the writer/philosopher Ladislav Klíma’s drama, which premiered at the Estates Theatre in 2003.

Photographer fot the production: Hana Smejkalová

Photo and video gallery

Share

Practical information

Where to buy tickets

The National Theatre sells tickets up to 6 months in advance. We are currently selling tickets for performances of Drama, Ballet, Opera and Laterna magika taking place in March-August 2024.


When purchasing online, you can get an e-ticket. You can pick up printed tickets in person at the box offices of the National Theatre.

What to wear?

By their appearance, attire and behaviour, the audience is obliged to adhere to the accustomed practice expected from them when attending a theatre performance.

Parking at the National Theater

While visiting The National Theatre and the New Stage you can use again the underground car park of the National Theatre. Information and a parking fee.

 

Buffets on the New Stage

Use Café Nona for refreshments on the New Stage.