Comenius | Perform Czech

The world premiere of a historical panorama, Comenius is a brand-new opera composed by Jan Jirásek, recipient of two Czech Lion Awards for film music. Commissioned by the South Bohemian Theatre, Comenius guides the audience through Europe’s turbulent 17th century at the speed of film. This is a story about finding the paradise of the heart in the labyrinth of the Thirty Years’ War, plagues, religious intolerance, personal tragedies and life in exile.

About the company

The only professional four-ensemble theatre in southern Bohemia, South Bohemian Theatre is the heart of culture in South Bohemia, with 100 years of tradition in České Budějovice.
South Bohemia Theatre integrates four independent art ensembles – drama, opera, ballet, and puppet theatre. The ensembles are headed by Lukáš Slavický (ballet), Olga Šubrtová (drama), Petr Hašek (puppet theatre) and Tomáš Ondřej Pilař (opera). In the spring of 2015, the creative and cultural centre “Ateliér 3D” was established at South Bohemian Theatre, founded by director, choreographer and teacher Veronika Poldauf Riedlbauchová. The Theatre’s current director is MgA. Martina Schlegelová, Ph.D.

Awards

Markéta Klaudová won the 2023 South Bohemian Thalia for Outstanding Performance in an Opera for the role of Magdalene in Comenius. In the men’s category, Jakub Hliněnský won for the role of Comenius, with the jury also taking into account his portrayal of the Grand Duke in Samson and Delilah.