The acclaimed Czech conductor Jakub Hrůša was recently honored with the Medal of Merit for Services to the State in the Field of Art by the President of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel.
Since 2016, Hrůša has served as Chief Conductor of the Bamberg Symphony. This September, he began his tenure as Music Director of the Royal Opera House in London.
From 2028, he will assume the role of Chief Conductor and Music Director of the Czech Philharmonic, a position he currently holds as Principal Guest Conductor.
Hrůša has been a champion of Czech music throughout his career and has presented Czech composers in venues all over the world. He regularly performs works by Dvořák, Janáček, Smetana, and Suk with orchestras including the Berlin, Vienna, and New York Philharmonics.
His upcoming projects include two performances in February 2026 with the Czech Philharmonic. Featured works include the Czech premiere of Bryce Dessner’s St. Carolyn by the Sea, and a program dedicated to the music of Suk and Sibelius.
“I deeply value the great honour of receiving the Medal of Merit from President Petr Pavel,” Hrůša expressed. “It represents a wonderful recognition of my devoted work for music. Especially for Czech music, which I profoundly love, believe in, and strive to share and promote wherever I go. At the same time, it is a powerful commitment to continue doing so ever more effectively in the future whether at the helm of the Czech Philharmonic, in Germany, in the United Kingdom, or across the world.”