One of the most inspiring young Czech conductors, since the beginning of the 2024/25 season Petr Popelka has been music director of the Wiener Symphoniker. Previously holding the post of principal conductor of the Norwegian Radio Orchestra, he continues to be music director of the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra.
Popelka started his artistic career as a double-bassist. Following his studies in Prague and Freiburg, he was engaged at the Staatskapelle Dresden, where he would serve as deputy solo double-bassist for almost a decade. While still a student, he developed a keen interest in conducting, and also composed music. In addition to taking private lessons, he closely observed conductors in action. “Every day with the orchestra was actually like a small masterclass for me,” Popelka said. In 2016, he arrived at the decision to learn conducting in earnest, and duly began studying with Vladimir Kiradjiev, and attending classes led by Alan Gilbert and others. Soon after receiving the Neeme Järvi Prize at the Gstaad Conducting Academy, he was named assistant to Gilbert, chief conductor of the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester. A year later, in 2020, Popelka was appointed principal conductor of the Norwegian Radio Orchestra, while also performing with the Gewandhausorchester, Staatskapelle Berlin, Bamberger Symphoniker, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and others. Amid his growing international reputation, Popelka was named main visiting conductor of the Janáček Philharmonic Ostrava and also invited to work with the Czech Philharmonic. In September 2022, he assumed the post of principal conductor of the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra. One of the highlights of the 2022/23 season was a concert in Prague Popelka conducted of Arnold Schönberg’s monumental cantata Gurre-Lieder, performed by the Norwegian Radio Orchestra and the Prague Radio Orchestra.
Besides giving concerts, he has conducted opera productions, including at the Norwegian National Opera in Oslo, the Semperoper in Dresden and the National Theatre in Prague. Popelka also continues to play the double-bass, appearing occasionally at chamber music performances.
