Festival preview: The Excursions of Mr Brouček

Janáček’s fifth opera, The Excursions of Mr Brouček, opened the 9th edition of the festival, whose motto was Without Borders! The same could be said of the work of Robert Carsen, a director whose productions are admired worldwide for their dramatic approach, poetry, humor, and visual refinement. The famous director’s path first crossed with that of the Czech composer many years ago, and today Carsen has staged six of Janáček’s operas. For the Brno company he created a production of Osud (Destiny) in 2020, and four years later he returned to send Mr Brouček not only to the Moon. Carsen’s production offered an entirely new perspective on Janáček’s rarely performed opera, linking its plot to the historical events of the 20th century that were so crucial for the Czech nation. The fact that the production resonated not only with Czech audiences is confirmed by its shortlisting for the prestigious Opera Award 2025.