Jakub Hrůša has been awarded the Medal of Merit in the Field of Arts

“I deeply value the great honour of receiving the Medal of Merit from President Petr Pavel. It represents a wonderful recognition of my devoted work for music. Especially for Czech music, which I profoundly love, believe in, and strive to share and promote wherever I go. At the same time, it is a powerful commitment to continue doing so ever more effectively in the future whether at the helm of the Czech Philharmonic, in Germany, in the United Kingdom, or across the world.”

— Jakub Hrůša

Jakub Hrůša ranks among the most distinguished conductors on today’s international music scene. Since 2016 he has served as Chief Conductor of the Bamberg Symphony, became Music Director of the Royal Opera House in London in September 2025, and from autumn 2028 will take up the post of Chief Conductor and Music Director of the Czech Philharmonic.

Throughout his artistic career, Hrůša has dedicated himself to championing Czech music and its composers, presenting their works on some of the world’s most prestigious stages. He regularly performs pieces by Antonín Dvořák, Leoš Janáček, Bedřich Smetana, and Josef Suk, collaborating with leading orchestras such as the Berlin, Vienna, and New York Philharmonics.

With the Czech Philharmonic, Hrůša will perform twice in February 2026. The first concert will feature the Czech premiere of Bryce Dessner’s St. Carolyn by the Sea, followed by a second program dedicated to the music of Josef Suk and Jean Sibelius.