The musical life of Brno, as well as of the leading stages throughout the Czech Republic, can hardly be imagined today without the orchestra Czech Virtuosi. This distinctive ensemble of “Mozartian type” began its activities on 28 January 1998 with a concert at the Besední dům in Brno under the baton of the Japanese conductor Hideaki Hirai, co-founder of the orchestra. Since then, the ensemble has given more than 800 concerts, with over one third taking place abroad.
From its earliest years, the orchestra attracted attention with a live broadcast to the international EBU network as part of the Concertino Praga competition, followed by the Czech premiere of John Rutter’s Requiem. At the first Leoš Janáček Festival in Brno, Czech Virtuosi performed The Cunning Little Vixen in a unique chamber version for 17 instruments. The successful production of four Mozart operas subsequently opened the doors to European stages and established a strong artistic connection with Vienna, where the orchestra has appeared in prestigious venues such as the Konzerthaus, the Musikverein and the Vienna State Opera.
Czech Virtuosi are regularly invited to major European festivals and concert venues in France, Austria, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Poland and other countries. In 2003 the orchestra toured Japan, returning there later with a Baroque programme. A significant milestone was their participation in the Festival of Czech Music in Dijon in 2015, where they performed Janáček’s Káťa Kabanová with an international cast to great acclaim. They have also appeared repeatedly at Prague’s Rudolfinum, presenting, among other works, Mozart’s Requiem.
The orchestra has collaborated with numerous distinguished soloists and conductors from around the world, and its concert activity alone would fill an extensive publication. Alongside live performances, Czech Virtuosi are also dedicated to recording projects, including Dvořák’s Biblical Songs with bass Richard Novák and releases focusing on Czech and contemporary music.
A long-standing Brno tradition includes the Epiphany Concerts at the Cathedral of St Peter and Paul, as well as Easter and Advent concerts and various charitable projects. Audiences and critics alike praise the orchestra for its stylistic purity, richness of colour, precise ensemble playing and spontaneous musicality – hallmarks of Czech Virtuosi.
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