The renovation work at Brno’s Janáček Theatre is complete. The building, part of the Brno National Theatre, will reopen with a performance of “The Cunning Little Vixen“. Photo credit: Casadei Graphics.
Brno, Nov 15 (BD) – The first phase of the most extensive renovation work in the history of Janáček Theatre has been completed. After more than a year of renovation, the theatre will reopen with a performance of Janáček’s opera “The Cunning Little Vixen”.
“An opening ceremony will also be held on the piazzetta (stairs) in front of the theatre at 18h on 17 November, attended by representatives of the city, the theatre and the construction companies,” according to Zuzana Žáková-Klimplová, head of marketing. After the ceremony, the renovated foyer of the theatre will be open to visitors.
Observant visitors will notice the changes as soon as they enter the foyer. A white marble entrance portal engraved with the names of Janáček’s operas has replaced the previous red granite one. “Legend has it, it was a piece of red granite left over from the Stalin memorial in Letná in Prague,” explained Martin Koplík, the head of the customer center. During the reconstruction, the capacity of sanitary facilities was also increased, which is probably the biggest practical change for visitors. Koplík also mentioned some other new features: “There is a new buffet for visitors, to avoid big queues, and air conditioning has also been added.”
Although the opening ceremony takes place this week, the whole renovation is not yet complete. Work will continue on the theatre’s facilities, especially the dressing and rehearsal rooms. According to Koplík, the entire project will be completed next April.
See the photo gallery. Photo credit: Casadei Graphics.
Janáček Theatre, the biggest theatre in the Czech Republic and one of the largest in Europe, first opened 53 years ago as a theatre for ballet and opera. In October 1965, Janáček’s “The Cunning Little Vixen“ marked the opening of the new theatre. For this reason, the same Janáček’s piece will also reopen the theatre this month, kicking off the Janáček International Music and Opera Festival. It will be the 13th staging of the “The Cunning Little Vixen” in Brno. Although the opening performance on 17 November is already sold out, the premiere can be viewed online with English and Czech subtitles the following day as part of the OPERA VISION project.
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