April23 2026 (Thu)
6:00 PM

Carousel

Opera by Václav Trojan

The National Theatre in Prague

1 minutes | Opera and Ballet | Available

Date: April 23, 2026 | 18:00 (Thu)
Venue: The National Theatre in Prague
Duration: 1 minutes
Intermission: No
Status: Available
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The National Theatre will stage Trojan’s opera for children young and old, for the very first time

In Czech, surtitles in Czech, English

Today Václav Trojan (1907–1983) is known primarily as a composer of outstanding scores for a number of 20th-century Czech films. The most noteworthy are the soundtracks to Jiří Trnka’s world-renowned animated movies BayayaOld Czech LegendsA Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Good Soldier Schweik; Bořivoj Zeman’s fairy tale Once Upon a Time There Was a King ..., featuring Jan Werich in the lead role; and Otakar Vávra’s August Sunday. Moreover, Trojan created the ballets Prince Bayaya and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, which were performed to acclaim at the National Theatre in Prague, and the stage poem Golden Gate, to folk motives.

He wrote one opera, Kolotoč (Carousel), for children young and old, as the secondary title indicates. The owner of a merry-go-round invites children to climb aboard: “If you want to see Indians, a kangaroo and gorillas, take a seat on the carousel!” And indeed: in the scenes that follow children are taken on dreamy trips to an African rainforest, the Australian Outback, an Indian jungle, as well as to the world of American film. Characterised by bounteous instrumentation and exquisite melody, Trojan’s music co-creates a colourful fantasy story.

The National Theatre production will be conducted by Zbyněk Müller and directed by Magdalena Švecová. A key role in the performance will be played by the Czech Philharmonic Children’s Choir, whose founder, Jan Kühn, was among those who in the mid-1930s urged Trojan to write an opera for children. Following a series of setbacks, Carousel would only receive its world premiere decades later, in 1960 in Ostrava. 

Performing:

National Theatre Chorus
National Theatre Orchestra
National Theatre Opera Ballet
Czech Philharmonic Children’s Choir

Important:

  • The purchased tickets cannot be returned or exchanged
  • No discounts are provided
  • Theatre is a cultural institution. Please respect the common principles of appropriate behaviour and clothing.
  • The program may be subject to change
  • The price includes a service fee of 3,7 € (100,- CZK)

Visit the Black Light Theatre in Prague.