Popelka and Jindra to stay with PRSO for another year
The Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra announced at the press conference the extension of the engagement of chief conductor and artistic director Petr Popelka, as well as the principal guest conductor Robert Jindra. Both conductors will end their tenure with the PRSO in June 2026, the year when the orchestra celebrates its 100th anniversary.
Petr Popelka joined the radio symphonists in September 2022, and his engagement was originally supposed to last until the end of the upcoming 98th season. During these brief two years, Petr Popelka established himself on the international scene, making his debut, for example, with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and also becoming the new chief conductor of the Wiener Symphoniker. Despite his busy schedule, he intends to stay with the radio symphonists for as long as possible. "Working with the PRSO is a great joy for me, but also a challenge. The time spent with colleagues, among whom are many of my close friends and excellent musicians, I consider to be very well invested. Together, we are trying to raise the artistic level of the ensemble, and also to firmly establish the orchestra's brand in the minds of all listeners, and I think we are succeeding. This is where radio is truly unique, as our concerts are not only heard in Prague, but anywhere you tune in to radio broadcast. I am sincerely glad that the extension of the contract will give us more space to work together," adds Petr Popelka.
Robert Jindra, the current music director of the National Theatre Opera in Prague and the chief conductor of the State Philharmonic Košice, is in a similar time-exposed situation. “It is a great pleasure for me that we have agreed with the management of the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra to continue our cooperation. I am very happy to continue to participate with these wonderful people and musicians in the formation of such a significant orchestra. Especially valuable to me is the cooperation with Petr Popelka, who is an extremely inspiring personality. I believe that the musical reputation of the PRSO will continue to grow, and I am excited be a part of it," expresses Robert Jindra joyfully about the collaboration.
Both conductors have a number of concerts awaiting them in the upcoming season. Alongside them, soloists such as Isabelle Faust, Josef Špaček, Olga Bezsmertna, Kateřina Kněžíková and Adam Plachetka or Arthur and Lucas Jussen will perform. You can meet them at concerts at the Rudolfinum, the Municipal House, or the Bethlehem Chapel. In addition to the standard concert activities in Prague, Petr Popelka and the orchestra will embark on a tour of Japan at the beginning of July this year.
