ROH Music Director Jakub Hrůša Receives Czech Medal of Merit in the Field of Arts
By David Salazar(Photo credit: Lenka Hatasova)
Conductor Jakub Hrůša has received the Medal of Merit in the Field of Arts from Czech President Petr Pavel.
The state honor was presented on October 28, 2025, in the historic Vladislav Hall of Prague Castle during the national celebration marking the establishment of the independent Czechoslovak state.
“I deeply value the highest honor of the Medal of Merit bestowed upon me by President Petr Pavel,” said Hrůša, the current Chief Conductor of the Bamberg Symphony and Music Director of the Royal Opera, Covent Garden, per an official press release. “It represents a beautiful recognition of my lifelong dedication to music—and especially to Czech music, which I seek to share everywhere.”
In addition to his positions with ROH and Bamberg Symphony, Hrůša is set to become Chief Conductor and Music Director of the Czech Philharmonic in 2028; he currently serves as Principal Guest Conductor with the ensemble. He also regularly appears with the Berlin Philharmonic, Vienna Philharmonic, and New York Philharmonic.
Among the conductor’s major projects has been to advocate for Czech repertoire, bringing works by Dvořák, Janáček, Smetana, and Suk to major international stages. On Nov. 4, 2025, he is set to conduct the Royal Opera House premiere of Janáček’s “The Makropulos Affair.”
Hrůša’s career has previously received numerous international honors, including the Antonín Dvořák Prize, Opus Klassik Conductor of the Year (2023), Gramophone Awards (2024), and the Karel Kramář Medal for artistic achievement. He also serves as President of the International Martinů Circle, continuing his mission to champion Czech music worldwide.
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