Conductor Jakub Hrůša has received the state honour of the Medal of Merit in the field of Arts from the President of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel. The ceremonial presentation took place on 28 October 2025, in the Vladislav Hall of Prague Castle on the national holiday marking the establishment of the independent Czechoslovak state.
Upon receiving the award, Hrůša said, “I deeply value the highest honour of the Medal of Merit bestowed upon me by President Petr Pavel. It represents for me a beautiful recognition of my lifelong dedication to music – and especially to Czech music, which I profoundly love, cherish, and seek to share everywhere – as well as a great commitment to continue doing so with ever more strength and effectiveness in the future, whether at the helm of the Czech Philharmonic, in Germany, in the United Kingdom, or across the globe.”
Hrůša’s musical career has been profoundly linked with Czech repertoire. Alongside major interpretations of the world repertoire, he regularly presents works by Antonín Dvořák, Leoš Janáček, Bedřich Smetana, Josef Suk, and others on the world’s most important stages. His artistry and charisma significantly contribute to strengthening the prestige of Czech musical tradition internationally. On 4 November, he will conduct the premiere of Janáček’s opera The Makropulos Case at the Royal Opera House in London – the very first staging of this work in the history of the house.
Hrůša currently serves as Chief Conductor of the Bamberg Symphony and Music Director of the Royal Opera, Covent Garden. In autumn 2028 he will become Chief Conductor and Music Director of the Czech Philharmonic, where he is currently Principal Guest Conductor. He regularly appears with the world’s most prestigious orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic, Vienna Philharmonic, and New York Philharmonic.
Photo: Office of the President of the Republic © Zuzana Bönisch, Tomáš Fongus